OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the efficacy of weekly docetaxel as measured by disease response, strength and duration of pain reduction, and either a decrease in analgesic use without an increase in pain, or a decrease in PSA, in patients with hormone refractory metastatic prostate cancer. II. Assess the efficacy of this regimen in terms of survival in this patient population. III. Evaluate the effect of this regimen on quality of life in these patients. IV. Determine qualitative and quantitative toxicities of this regimen in these patients.