Oxaliplatin, Irinotecan, and Capecitabine in Treating Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Colorectal Cancer That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and capecitabine, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) may kill more tumor cells.
PURPOSE: This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of capecitabine when given together with oxaliplatin and irinotecan and to see how well they work in treating patients with advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer that cannot be removed by surgery.