Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced solid tumor
that has failed standard therapy or for which no standard therapy exists No hematological
malignancies allowed Measurable or evaluable disease Must have clinical or radiological
evidence of disease No active brain metastases including evidence of cerebral edema by CT
or MRI, or progression from prior imaging study, any requirement for steroids, or clinical
symptoms of/from brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At
least 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count
at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5
mg/dL AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine less
than 1.5 times ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients
must use effective contraception No preexisting peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 1
due to any cause No documented hypersensitivity reaction grade 2 or greater to prior
paclitaxel or other therapy containing Cremophor EL No serious uncontrolled medical
disorder or active infection that would preclude protocol therapy No dementia or altered
mental status that would preclude compliance HIV negative

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy No
concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6
weeks for nitrosoureas, mitomycin, and doxorubicin HCl liposome) Prior taxanes allowed No
more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens in metastatic setting Prior adjuvant/neoadjuvant
chemotherapy allowed No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: See Disease
Characteristics No concurrent hormonal therapy (except hormone replacement therapy or
medication to maintain castrate status) Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior
radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to greater than 25% of bone marrow No concurrent
radiotherapy Surgery: No concurrent surgery Other: At least 4 weeks since other prior
investigational agents No other concurrent experimental anticancer medications No other
concurrent specific antitumor therapy