OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation study (phase I). Patients are stratified into one of two risk groups by number of prior chemotherapy regimens (0-2 vs greater than 2) and occurrence and site(s) of prior radiation. Patients receive oral estramustine three times daily beginning 24 hours prior to docetaxel and continuing for 4 days after infusion. Patients receive docetaxel IV over 1 hour every 21 days. Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of docetaxel until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is reached (phase I). The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 6 patients experience dose limiting toxicity. A minimum of 6 patients receive treatment at the MTD. Phase II: Patients receive docetaxel IV at the MTD from phase I. Treatment continues in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for both phases. Quality of life is assessed. Patients are followed every 3 months until death.