PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL ALT and AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (unless due to hepatic metastases) Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN Other: No serious uncontrolled medical disorder or active infection that would preclude study No hypersensitivity to agents containing polyoxyethylated castor oil (Cremophor EL) except in patients who received prior taxane therapy with premedication and did not experience greater than grade 1 hypersensitivity reaction Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception