Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma
or adenocarcinoma of the esophagus Tumors of the gastroesophageal junction allowed if at
least 50% of the tumor involved the esophagus at time of initial diagnosis Locally
advanced or metastatic disease that is not amenable to surgery or radiotherapy with
curative intent Progressive disease after 1 chemotherapy regimen for locally advanced or
metastatic disease Relapse within 6 months of completing prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy
allowed Chemotherapy administered solely as a radiosensitizer not considered a prior
chemotherapy regimen At least 1 non-irradiated measurable target lesion At least 20 mm in
at least 1 dimension by conventional techniques OR At least 10 mm in at least 1 dimension
by spiral CT scan No known brain metastases, spinal cord compression, or carcinomatous
meningitis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life
expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no
greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN (5
times ULN if hepatic metastases present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN
OR Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No myocardial infarction
within the past 6 months No unstable angina No New York Heart Association class III or IV
heart disease No severe uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia Other: HIV negative No active
infection No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated carcinoma
in situ of the cervix, ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, basal cell skin cancer, or
squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck within the past 3 years No concurrent
malignancies at other sites No psychiatric or other disorder that would preclude study Not
pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective
contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent anticancer biologic response
modifiers or immunotherapy No concurrent sargramostim (GM-CSF) No concurrent prophylactic
filgrastim (G-CSF) during first course of study Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics
Recovered from prior chemotherapy No prior taxane therapy No other concurrent anticancer
chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy Radiotherapy:
See Disease Characteristics Recovered from prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease
Characteristics Recovered from prior surgery Other: At least 4 weeks since prior
investigational agent No other concurrent investigational therapy No concurrent
participation in other clinical study No other concurrent antitumor therapy