PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Must have had at least 1 prior platinum based chemotherapeutic regimen containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound Must have had at least 1 prior paclitaxel based chemotherapeutic regimen 1 or 2 prior chemotherapy regimens containing platinum and paclitaxel allowed Recovered from toxic effects No prior docetaxel Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy Surgery: Recovered from effects of recent surgery Other: At least 3 weeks since any prior therapy directed at the malignant tumor No prior cancer treatment that contraindicates this protocol therapy