OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation study of docetaxel and fluorouracil (5-FU). Patients receive docetaxel IV over 1 hour on day 1, cisplatin IV over 1 hour on day 2, and leucovorin calcium IV immediately followed by 5-FU IV on days 1-5. Treatment repeats every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression. Cohorts of 3-5 patients receive escalating doses of docetaxel and 5-FU until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which more than 1 of 3 or 1 of 5 patients experience dose limiting toxicity. Patients are followed every 3 months until death.