PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 OR Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL ALT/AST no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Cardiovascular: No evidence of heart block greater than first degree, bundle branch block, or ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmia on EKG No clinical evidence of congestive heart failure, angina, or documented myocardial infarction within past 6 months Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No known hypersensitivity to Cremaphor EL No other significant concurrent medical or psychiatric condition that might place patient at increased risk from study