OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to liver function as defined by the following: Group A: Normal liver function - Bilirubin, SGOT, and alkaline phosphatase no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) Group B: Mild liver dysfunction - Bilirubin no greater than ULN; SGOT greater than ULN to 2.5 times ULN and/or alkaline phosphatase greater than ULN to 5 times ULN Group C: Moderate liver function - Bilirubin greater than ULN to 3.0 mg/dL and/or SGOT greater than 2.5 times ULN and/or alkaline phosphatase greater than 5 times normal Group D: Severe liver dysfunction - Bilirubin greater than 3.1 mg/dL and any SGOT or alkaline phosphatase Group E: Patients who have received a liver transplant Patients receive oxaliplatin IV over 2 hours on day 1. Treatment repeats every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Cohorts of 3-6 patients in groups B, C, and D receive escalating doses of oxaliplatin until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 6 patients experience dose- limiting toxicity.