Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically proven malignant mesothelioma (epithelial,
sarcomatoid, or mixed subtype) that is not amenable to surgery or radiotherapy

- Measurable disease

- At least 20 mm by conventional techniques or at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan

- Pleural effusions and ascites are not considered measurable lesions

- Only site of measurable disease must not be located within prior radiotherapy port

- Lesion must be accessible for biopsy

- History of previously treated CNS metastasis allowed if:

- Neurologically stable

- No requirement for IV or oral steroids or IV anticonvulsants

- No active or residual disease by brain CT or MRI scan

- Patients with neurologic signs or symptoms suggestive of CNS metastasis must have a
negative brain CT or MRI scan

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Age: 18 and over

- Performance status: WHO 0-2

- Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks

- WBC at least 3,000/mm3

- Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

- SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal

- Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

- No uncompensated coronary artery disease on electrocardiogram or physical examination

- No history of myocardial infarction or severe/unstable angina within the past 6
months

- No severe peripheral vascular disease associated with diabetes mellitus

- No deep vein or arterial thrombosis within the past 3 months

- No pulmonary embolism within the past 3 months

- No significant uncontrolled underlying medical or psychiatric illness

- No serious active infection

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No active second malignancy except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ
of the cervix

- Patients are not considered to have active malignancy if they have completed therapy
and are considered to be at less than 30% risk of relapse

- No history of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to paclitaxel or docetaxel

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- No more than 1 prior systemic chemotherapy regimen

- At least 4 weeks since prior systemic chemotherapy and recovered

- Prior intrapleural cytotoxic agents (including bleomycin) allowed

- No concurrent chemotherapy

- At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

- No concurrent radiotherapy

- At least 30 days since prior investigational drug and recovered

- No concurrent investigational drug