PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 8 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: SGPT less than 2 times normal Alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times normal Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: BUN or creatinine less than 1.5 times normal Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use one highly effective method of contraception, AND one additional effective method of contraception for at least 4 weeks before, during, and for 8 weeks after study No peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 1 No active infection No other illness that would obscure toxicity or alter drug metabolism No other concurrent serious medical illness No other prior cancer within the past 3 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix