OUTLINE: This is a dose-escalation study. Patients undergo nephrectomy for tumor RNA extraction followed by leukapheresis to collect peripheral blood mononuclear cells for dendritic cell (DC) production. Patients receive autologous DC transfected with autologous renal cell carcinoma RNA both IV and intradermally on weeks 0, 2, and 4. Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of DC IV until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 6 patients experience dose-limiting toxicity. Patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year and then every 6 months for 1 year.