PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0 or 1 Hematopoietic: ANC at least 1,500/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL (transfusion allowed) Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL AST/ALT no greater than twice normal Alkaline phosphatase no greater than twice normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.2 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Calcium normal No history of hypercalcemia Cardiovascular: No congestive heart failure No serious arrhythmia requiring medication No myocardial infarction within 6 months No medications known to alter cardiac conduction (i.e., lanoxin, beta or calcium channel blockers) Other: No significant detectable or occult infection Complete evaluation required if elevated WBC (12,000 or greater) or fever (101.6 F or higher) No hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived proteins No allergy to drugs utilizing Cremophor No other malignancy within 3 years except curatively treated nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception Must complete quality of life and pain assessments at required intervals