PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Any age Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater than 2 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.7 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No second degree atrioventricular block or bundle branch block Other: No history of prior malignancy in the past 5 years except basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No active infection requiring antibiotics No history of allergic reaction to drugs utilizing the vehicle Cremophor Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception