OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation study of irinotecan and fluorouracil. Patients receive cisplatin IV over 30 minutes followed by fluorouracil IV over several minutes followed by irinotecan IV over 30 minutes on days 1, 8, 15, and 22. Treatment continues every 6 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression for a minimum of 3 courses. Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of irinotecan and fluorouracil until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of each is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 3 or 2 of 6 patients experience dose limiting toxicities. Patients are followed at 30 days and then until death.