OBJECTIVES: I. Determine whether partial or complete responses can be achieved with docetaxel (TXT) in patients with recurrent or refractory disseminated germ cell cancer previously treated with standard-dose chemotherapy. II. Assess the probability of actual response warranting further evaluation of the therapeutic effectiveness of TXT in the case that partial or complete tumor responses are achieved in this patient population. III. Characterize further the toxic effects of TXT in these patients.