PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 21 and under Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: More than 8 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm3* Platelet count greater than 75,000/mm3* Hemoglobin greater than 9 g/dL *Transfusion independent Hepatic: Bilirubin normal for age SGOT and SGPT less than 2.5 times normal for age PT/PTT no greater than 1.2 times upper limit of normal Albumin greater than 3 g/dL No overt hepatic disease Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times normal for age OR Glomerular filtration rate greater than 70 mL/min No overt renal disease Cardiovascular: No deep venous or arterial thrombosis within the past 3 months No history of myocardial infarction, severe or unstable angina, or severe peripheral vascular disease No overt cardiac disease No prior cerebral bleeds Pulmonary: No pulmonary embolism within the past 3 months No overt pulmonary disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No known allergies to paclitaxel or other agent that uses Cremophor EL No uncontrolled infection Neurological deficits allowed if stable for at least 1 week prior to study Greater than 3rd percentile weight for height