Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Cancer of the Esophagus

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus

  * Previously untreated
  * Locally advanced unresectable or metastatic disease
  * More than 50% of tumor must involve esophagus or gastroesophageal (GE) junction if tumor extends below the GE junction into the proximal stomach
* At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

  * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
  * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  * The following are not considered measurable disease:

    * Bone lesions
    * Leptomeningeal disease
    * Ascites
    * Pleural/pericardial effusions
    * Lymphangitis cutis/pulmonis
    * Abdominal masses not confirmed and followed by imaging techniques
    * Cystic lesions
    * Tumor lesions in previously irradiated areas
* No carcinomatous meningitis or untreated brain metastases

  * Brain metastases allowed if asymptomatic and patient is on stable or tapering dose of steroids
* Large pleural effusions must have been previously drained and sclerosed or otherwise controlled

  * Small, stable, asymptomatic pleural effusions allowed
* Dysphagia allowed

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 18 and over

Performance status:

* ECOG 0-2 OR
* Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

* At least 3 months

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
* AST no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (5 times ULN if liver metastases present)
* No known Gilbert's disease

Renal:

* Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
* Calcium less than 12.0 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

* No history of significant cardiovascular disease
* No inadequately controlled hypertension
* No unstable angina
* No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
* No ventricular cardiac arrhythmias requiring medication
* No history or treatment for congestive heart failure

Pulmonary:

* No interstitial pneumonia
* No fibroid lung

Other:

* No serious active infection
* No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (random blood sugar at least 300 mg)
* No peripheral neuropathy grade 2 or greater
* No other malignancy within the past 3 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any other malignancy that does not carry a worse prognosis than advanced esophageal cancer
* No other serious underlying medical condition that would preclude study
* No other concurrent disease that would preclude study
* No psychiatric illness or other significant mental impairment that would preclude study
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* Not specified

Chemotherapy:

* No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

* See Disease Characteristics

Radiotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
* No prior radiotherapy to the pelvis

Surgery:

* See Disease Characteristics
* Not specified

Other:

* No concurrent phenytoin or phenobarbital