OBJECTIVES: I. Assess the safety and efficacy of zoledronate in patients with any solid tumor cancer with bone metastases other than breast or prostate cancer. II. Assess the efficacy of zoledronate in preventing skeletal-related events including tumor induced hypercalcemia (TIH), time to first occurrence of skeletal-related event or TIH, skeletal morbidity rate, time to progression of bone metastases, overall survival, and time to overall disease progression in these patients. III. Assess the quality of life and pain in these patients on these regimens.