SarCNU in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed colorectal cancer

  * Locally recurrent or metastatic disease
  * Previously treated with 1 chemotherapy regimen for recurrent or metastatic disease
* At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

  * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
  * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  * No prior radiotherapy to indicator lesion (clear disease progression or new lesion within a prior radiation port is acceptable)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 18 and over

Performance status:

* ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 120,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin normal
* AST and ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

* Creatinine normal OR
* Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

* No symptomatic congestive heart failure
* No unstable angina pectoris
* No cardiac arrhythmia

Pulmonary:

* DLCO at least 80% predicted
* FVC at least 80% predicted
* No history of significant pulmonary disease
* No concurrent symptomatic pulmonary disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, chronic asthma)

Other:

* No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix
* No other serious illness or medical condition that would preclude study
* No ongoing or active uncontrolled infection
* No history of significant neurologic or psychiatric disorder that would preclude study
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy
* No concurrent immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* Prior adjuvant chemotherapy allowed
* No prior nitrosoureas
* No prior second-line chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic disease
* At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy
* No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

* No concurrent corticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* Prior radiotherapy as part of primary therapy allowed
* At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
* No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

* Prior surgery as part of primary therapy allowed
* Prior reoperation for recurrent disease allowed
* At least 2 weeks since prior surgery other than biopsy

Other:

* At least 4 weeks since prior investigational agent
* No other concurrent investigational agents or therapy
* No other concurrent anticancer therapy