OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the safety profile and maximum tolerated dose of KRN7000 in patients with solid tumors. II. Assess the biological and immunological parameters that would suggest the optimal biologically active dose of KRN7000 in these patients. III. Determine the pharmacokinetics of KRN7000 at the different dose levels in these patients. IV. Measure any antitumor activity in these patients treated with this regimen.