Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed salivary gland carcinoma that is
metastatic or recurrent, including the following types: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma Pathology review required Measurable disease required Lesion in a
previously irradiated field must be progressing and biopsy- proven

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: WBC
at least 3,000/mm3 ANC at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hb at least
10 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0
mg/dL Cardiovascular: No MI within the past 6 months No CHF No unstable arrhythmia No
current antiarrhythmic, inotropic, or antianginal medication Other: No history of allergy
to Cremophor No prior malignancy within 5 years except: Curatively treated nonmelanomatous
skin cancer Curatively treated in-situ cancer of the cervix No concurrent malignancy Not
pregnant or nursing Effective contraception strongly advised for fertile patients
Blood/body fluid analyses to determine eligibility and imaging studies and scans/x-rays
for tumor measurement completed within 14 days prior to registration

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Prior biological response modifier therapy
allowed Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy:
Prior radiotherapy allowed with recovery Surgery: Prior surgery allowed with recovery