OBJECTIVES: I. Define the safety of iodine I 131 chimeric monoclonal antibody G250 (131I MOAB cG250) in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. II. Determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 131I MOAB cG250. III. Describe the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of 131I MOAB cG250. IV. Determine the response rate of 131I MOAB cG250 at the MTD.