Sargramostim in Treating Patients With Kidney Cancer That Has Spread to the Lung

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed metastatic renal cell carcinoma for which no known standard therapy that is potentially curative or capable of extending life expectancy exists (e.g., surgery) * Measurable metastatic disease in the lung * At least one unidimensionally measurable lesion at least 20 mm by conventional techniques * No CNS metastases that require treatment PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 75,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin greater than 8.0 g/dL Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST no greater than 3 times ULN Renal * Creatinine no greater than 2.5 times ULN Pulmonary * No hemoptysis of grade 3 or greater * No reactive airway disease on active therapy Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No uncontrolled infection * No other metastatic malignancy within the past 3 years except basal cell skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * More than 2 weeks since prior immunotherapy * More than 2 weeks since other prior biologic therapy Chemotherapy * More than 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosoureas) Endocrine therapy * More than 2 weeks since prior corticosteroids * No concurrent systemic glucocorticoids Radiotherapy * More than 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy * No prior radiotherapy to more than 10% of total lung volume in the radiation field Other * At least 4 weeks since prior bronchodialators * No concurrent immunosuppressive agents