PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: 0-2 Hematopoietic: WBC normal Platelet count normal Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Transaminases no greater than 2 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN Renal: Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No significant coronary artery disease No documented myocardial infarction No angina, arrhythmia, or congestive heart failure requiring medication Pulmonary: FEV1 greater than 1 liter pO2 greater than 55 mm Hg on room air pCO2 less than 45 mm Hg on room air Other: No prior severe hypersensitivity reaction to products containing Cremaphor EL No clinical evidence of pre-existing polyneuropathy Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test