DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelial tract not curable by surgery or radiotherapy Bladder, renal pelvis, or ureter Stage II, III, or IV (T2-4, N0-3, M0-1) with unresectable disease Poorly differentiated transitional cell carcinoma or predominant transitional cell carcinoma with foci of squamous differentiation or rare foci of adenocarcinoma allowed No adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, sarcoma, or squamous cell carcinoma Bidimensionally measurable disease No disease confined to the bladder only No soft tissue disease irradiated within the past 2 months No known active CNS disease