S0415 Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Metastatic Esophageal Cancer or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of 1 of the following sites: * Thoracic esophagus, located \> 20 cm\* from the incisors * Gastroesophageal junction, located ≤ 2 cm into the gastric cardia NOTE: \*Tumors located \< 26 cm from the incisors must be confirmed by bronchoscopy and negative cytology * Disease confined to the esophagus and periesophageal soft tissue * Metastatic disease * Measurable disease by x-ray, scanning, or physical examination * Received exactly 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic or recurrent disease * One prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen allowed if administered at the time of initial diagnosis with localized disease * No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Not specified Renal * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal Other * No prior allergic reaction to chimerized or murine monoclonal antibodies * No evidence of human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer in complete remission * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * No prior c…