Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed nonhematologic
malignancy unresponsive to existing therapy or for which no curative therapy exists
Patients with prostate cancer must have withdrawn from antiandrogen therapy (flutamide,
bicalutamide) for at least 4 weeks and must have progressive disease Measurable or
evaluable disease No active brain metastases (e.g., cerebral edema, progression from prior
imaging study, requirement for steroids, or clinical symptoms)

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 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL ALT and AST no greater
than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (unless due to hepatic metastases) Renal:
Creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN Other: No serious uncontrolled medical disorder or
active infection that would preclude study No hypersensitivity to agents containing
polyoxyethylated castor oil (Cremophor EL) except in patients who received prior taxane
therapy with premedication and did not experience greater than grade 1 hypersensitivity
reaction Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use
effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy
Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas,
mitomycin, or carboplatin) Prior taxanes allowed No other concurrent chemotherapy
Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 2 weeks since prior hormonal
therapy No concurrent steroids No concurrent hormonal therapy (except leuprolide acetate
for prostate cancer) Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy to 30% or
more of bone marrow No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: No other
concurrent investigational anticancer therapy