Comparison of Combination Chemotherapy Regimens in Treating Patients With Advanced Stomach Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction beyond the scope of surgical resection Must have measurable disease in either one or two dimensions either radiographically or by physical examination Measurable disease must be documented outside of a prior radiation portal Evaluable disease only not allowed

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 4,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater than 1.5 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease No chronic or unstable angina No uncontrolled congestive heart failure No arrhythmia No chronic angina No myocardial infarction in the past 1 year If history of atherosclerotic heart disease, prior cardiac catheterization or thallium stress test must not suggest coronary artery disease Neurology: No symptomatic peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 2 No cerebellar disease No seizure disorder No organic mental syndrome No major psychoaffective disorder Pulmonary: No chronic obstructive pulmonary disease No chronic bronchitis, emphysema, sarcoid, or bronchiectasis Other: No poorly controlled diabetes mellitus No psychiatric illness No active infections, including AIDS, ARC, or HIV positive No history of hypersensitivity to products containing Polysorbate 80 No history of uncontrolled alcohol or drug abuse No uncontrolled hypercalcemia No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years other than nonmelanomatous skin cancer or cervical carcinoma in situ Not pregnant or nursing Adequate contraception required of all fertile patients

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: No prior systemic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No chronic use of steroids No concurrent hormonal therapy (except birth control pills) Radiotherapy: At least 1 month since prior radiotherapy No concurrent palliative radiotherapy (arm I patients) Surgery: Must have fully recovered from surgery Other: At least 4 weeks since other investigational agents and recovered from all toxic effects No chronic use of aspirin, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, antianginal medications, or extraordinary antihypertensive regimens