OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the activity of glufosfamide as determined by objective response in patients with metastatic or inoperable locally advanced pancreatic cancer. II. Determine the response rate in this patient population after this treatment. III. Determine the duration of objective response in these patients on this treatment. IV. Determine the toxic effects of this regimen in these patients. V. Assess the impact of hydration on the toxicity profile of this treatment in these patients.