OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients receive a test dose of cetuximab IV over 10 minutes followed by a 30 minute observation period. Following observation, patients receive a loading dose of cetuximab IV over 1-2 hours followed 1 hour later by gemcitabine IV over 30 minutes weekly for 7 weeks. Following 1 week of rest, patients with stable or responding disease continue treatment for a maximum of 6 months. During subsequent courses, patients receive maintenance doses of cetuximab IV over 1 hour weekly for 8 weeks. Gemcitabine IV is administered over 30 minutes weekly for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week of rest, and then repeated for a total treatment course of 8 weeks. Treatment continues in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Quality of life is assessed at baseline, after each course of therapy, and at 3 months after therapy. Patients are followed every 3 months until evidence of disease progression.