DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven recurrent locally advanced or metastatic transitional cell urinary tract carcinoma that has been previously untreated with systemic chemotherapy Pelvic relapse after radiotherapy or surgery No relapse solely within a previously irradiated field Nodal or metastatic disease Lesions within the abdomen or pelvis must be assessed using CT scanning At least one site of disease must be previously unirradiated and assessable for response Bone metastases cannot be used as an indicator lesion Measurable disease