OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the maximum tolerated dose and recommended phase II dose of lurtotecan liposome and cisplatin in patients with advanced solid tumors. II. Determine the toxicity profile, dose-limiting toxic effects, and the pharmacokinetics of this treatment regimen in this patient population. III. Determine any correlation between toxicity profile and pharmacokinetics of this treatment regimen in these patients. IV. Determine the objective tumor response to this treatment regimen in patients with measurable disease (previously untreated solid tumors) entered at the recommended phase II dose.