OBJECTIVES:
* To assess the therapeutic activity of a mitomycin C and ifosfamide combination, in terms of progression-free survival rate at 6 months, in patients with metastatic stage IV adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
OUTLINE: Patients receive mitomycin C IV on day 1 and ifosfamide IV on days 1-3. Courses repeat every 4 weeks for up to 6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.