PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Sex: Female Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT/SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase no greater than ULN OR SGOT/SGPT no greater than ULN Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 4 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No congestive heart failure No unstable angina No clinically significant pericardial effusion or arrhythmia Other: No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No active unresolved infection No prior hypersensitivity reaction to docetaxel No grade 2 or greater sensory or motor neuropathy Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception