OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the intolerable dose level of intoplicine in patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer. II. Determine recommended phase II dose of intoplicine in these patients. III. Determine the principal and dose limiting toxicities of intoplicine in these patients, and determine the duration and reversibility of the toxicities. IV. Determine the magnitude of plasma concentrations that are achieved and maintained on this regimen and relate this parameter to toxicity outcome and antitumor activity. V. Determine preliminary evidence of antitumor activity of intoplicine in these patients.