OUTLINE: Gemcitabine is the standard of care for pancreatic cancer and is administered by intravenous injection. Patients receive gemcitabine once a week for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of rest. Patients take the capsules (placebo or investigational chemotherapy) daily for 21 consecutive days beginning with the first gemcitabine infusion. The duration of treatment is determined by the patient's tolerance of therapy and the assessment of disease response.