Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced nonhematologic malignancy that has
progressed on standard therapy or for which no curative therapy exists

- No 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 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

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 no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Other:

- No chronic medical condition requiring treatment with corticosteroids

- No prior severe hypersensitivity reaction to agents containing Cremophor
(polyoxyethylated castor oil)

- No serious uncontrolled medical disorder, active infection, or psychiatric disorder
(e.g., dementia) that would preclude study

- No preexisting neurotoxicity grade 1 or greater

- 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 and recovered

- No concurrent immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and
recovered

- No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease

- No prior platinum or taxane therapy

- No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- At least 2 weeks since prior hormonal therapy (except megestrol for
anorexia/cachexia) and recovered

- At least 7 days since prior corticosteroids

- No concurrent corticosteroids

- No concurrent hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

- At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy to 30% or more of bone marrow and recovered

- No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

- Not specified

Other:

- No other concurrent investigational drug