OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the objective response rates for two different regimens in patients with advanced gastric cancer: the combination of fluorouracil plus hydroxyurea given as high dose 24 hour infusions plus interferon alfa-2a and filgrastim; versus the combination of doxorubicin and docetaxel. II. Evaluate the toxicities and reversibility of toxicities of each of these combinations in patients with advanced gastric cancer.