Cetuximab Plus Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Stage IV Colorectal Cancer

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies such as cetuximab can locate tumor cells and either kill them or deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining monoclonal antibody therapy with combination chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combining cetuximab with combination chemotherapy in treating patients who have stage IV colorectal cancer.