Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed recurrent or persistent uterine
leiomyosarcoma that is refractory to curative therapy or established treatments Measurable
disease required Must have failed local therapeutic measures and must be considered
incurable Not eligible for GOG protocols of higher priority

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: GOG 0-3 Life expectancy:
Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3
Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal
SGOT and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater
than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No unstable angina within 6 months OR No myocardial
infarction within 6 months Abnormal cardiac condition (e.g., bundle branch block, heart
block) allowed if stable for 6 months Other: No significant infection No concomitant
malignancy other than nonmelanomatous skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: At least 3 weeks since prior therapy to malignant tumor Biologic
therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Recovery from prior chemotherapy required No more
than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen allowed No prior paclitaxel No prior chemotherapy for
any malignancy from which the patient is disease-free for at least 5 years Endocrine
therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Recovery from prior radiation therapy required No
prior radiation therapy for any malignancy from which the patient is disease-free for at
least 5 years Surgery: Recovery from prior surgery required