OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the maximum tolerated dose of intravenous bryostatin 1 when administered in combination with a fixed dose of paclitaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced solid tumors. II. Investigate the clinical pharmacokinetics of intravenous paclitaxel when administered in combination with bryostatin 1 in these patients. III. Obtain preliminary data on the therapeutic activity of this therapy in these patients and evaluate surrogate markers of activity.