PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent immunotherapy No more than 1 prior biologic therapy regimen Chemotherapy: No concurrent chemotherapy No prior taxane for any reason No more than 2 prior chemotherapy courses used for the sole purpose of radiosensitization during primary definitive therapy allowed No other prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent hormonal therapy Prior hormonal or other endocrine therapy allowed Radiotherapy: No concurrent radiotherapy except to sites of bone metastases for palliative control of pain Prior radiotherapy to no more than 30% of bone marrow allowed At least 4 weeks since radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: Prior surgery allowed Must have recovered from surgery and any complication therefrom