Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven locally recurrent or advanced transitional
cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelial tract (bladder, renal pelvis, or ureter) or TCC
with squamous cell or glandular elements not amenable to curative treatment No pure
squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma Regional or distant metastases after
cystoprostatectomy No brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: Karnofsky 80-100% Life
expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: No hemorrhagic disorder Absolute neutrophil
count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10.0 g/dL
Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater
than 3 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Other: Not pregnant or
nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No known
sensitivity to any products to be administered or E. coli derived products No prior other
malignancy except inactive nonmelanoma skin cancer, adequately treated stage I or II
cancer in complete remission, or early stage prostate cancer (not currently being treated)
No illness or psychiatric condition that would preclude study or follow up Not previously
entered in this study No active uncontrolled infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No other concurrent biologic therapy No
concurrent WBC transfusions Chemotherapy: No prior gemcitabine or docetaxel Other prior
chemotherapy allowed Prior intravesical therapy allowed No other concurrent chemotherapy
Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Prior radiotherapy to renal pelvis or
ureter allowed Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Cystoprostatectomy or
nephroureterectomy for localized TCC allowed Other: No prior investigational drugs No
other concurrent investigational therapy No concurrent acetaminophen for fever prophylaxis