OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the overall survival of patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma treated with fluorouracil and leucovorin calcium with vs without oxaliplatin vs oxaliplatin alone. II. Compare the response rate, time to tumor-related symptomatic worsening, time to disease progression, onset and duration of complete and partial responses, and duration of disease stabilization in patients treated with these regimens. III. Determine the safety profile of these regimens in these patients.