OBJECTIVES: I. Establish the maximum tolerated doses (MTDs) and recommended Phase II doses (RPTDs) of vinorelbine and paclitaxel when combined with a fixed dose of estramustine in patients with advanced cancers or metastatic prostate cancer. II. Determine the toxicity pattern of this regimen at the MTDs and at the RPTDs in these patients. III. Make preliminary observations of antitumor activity in these patients treated with this regimen as leads for the Phase II portion of this study. IV. Establish the efficacy of the RPTDs of vinorelbine and paclitaxel when combined with estramustine in patients with prostate cancer who fulfill the criteria for the Phase II portion of this study.