OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the maximum tolerated dose of BMS-214662 in combination with paclitaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors. II. Determine the safety and tolerability of this regimen in these patients. III. Determine the pharmacokinetics of this treatment regimen in this patient population. IV. Determine the pharmacodynamic effects of this treatment regimen in serial tumor biopsies in these patients. V. Determine the cytotoxicity of this treatment regimen in these patients.