DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed recurrent or persistent uterine leiomyosarcoma that is refractory to curative therapy or established treatments Measurable disease required Must have failed local therapeutic measures and must be considered incurable Not eligible for GOG protocols of higher priority

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: GOG 0-3 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal SGOT and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No unstable angina within 6 months OR No myocardial infarction within 6 months Abnormal cardiac condition (e.g., bundle branch block, heart block) allowed if stable for 6 months Other: No significant infection No concomitant malignancy other than nonmelanomatous skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: At least 3 weeks since prior therapy to malignant tumor Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Recovery from prior chemotherapy required No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen allowed No prior paclitaxel No prior chemotherapy for any malignancy from which the patient is disease-free for at least 5 years Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Recovery from prior radiation therapy required No prior radiation therapy for any malignancy from which the patient is disease-free for at least 5 years Surgery: Recovery from prior surgery required