DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed solid tumor unresponsive to standard therapy or for which no effective therapy exists Measurable or evaluable disease amenable to CT-guided or percutaneous needle biopsy No active symptomatic brain metastases requiring steroids, including evidence of cerebral edema on CT scan or MRI or progression from prior imaging study

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL ALT/AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No history of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmia that could be exacerbated by QT interval prolongation No uncontrolled or significant cardiovascular disease No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No significant congestive heart failure No second- or third- degree heart block No prolonged QTc interval (greater than 450 ms) on EKG Pulmonary: No uncontrolled or significant pulmonary disease Other: No serious uncontrollable medical disorder or active infection that would preclude study No dementia or altered mental status that would preclude study Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy Chemotherapy: No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens Prior taxanes allowed At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosourea or mitomycin) No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent antineoplastic hormonal therapy Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior wide-field radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: At least 4 weeks since prior investigational drugs At least 7 days since prior substrates of cytochrome P450-3A4 (CYP3A4) No other concurrent experimental anticancer medications No concurrent dolasetron or droperidol No medications or other agents known to prolong the QT interval for at least 4 half-lives prior to, during, and for 24 hours after administration of BMS-214662 Concurrent antihistamines allowed