OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation study of paclitaxel. Patients receive oral estramustine daily on days 1-3 and paclitaxel IV over 1 hour on day 3 weekly for 6 weeks followed by 1 week of rest. Treatment continues for at least 2 courses in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of paclitaxel until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 6 patients experience dose limiting toxicities.