DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed metastatic or locally recurrent adenocarcinoma of the colon or rectum Progressive disease as defined by new or progressive radiologic lesions Measurable disease At least 1 dimension as at least 20 mm with conventional techniques or at least 10 mm with spiral CT scan Lesions seen on colonoscopic examination or barium studies, bone metastases, CNS lesions, CEA levels and ascites are not considered measurable Lesion accessible for biopsy which is not within prior radiation port Known history of CNS metastasis allowed if patients have had treatment, are neurologically stable, and do not require oral or intravenous steroids or anticonvulsants, provided brain scan (CT or MRI) shows absence of active or residual disease If neurologic signs or symptoms suggestive of CNS metastasis, negative brain scan required

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Transaminases no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No uncompensated coronary artery disease No history of myocardial infarction or severe/unstable angina within past 6 months No severe peripheral vascular disease associated with diabetes mellitus No deep venous or arterial thrombosis within past 3 months Pulmonary: No pulmonary embolism within past 3 months Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other significant uncontrolled underlying medical or psychiatric illness No serious active infections No concurrent second malignancy except for nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix unless completed therapy and considered to be at less than 30% risk of relapse No history of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to paclitaxel or docetaxel

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No concurrent chemotherapy No other concurrent investigational antineoplastic drugs Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior radiotherapy to only site of measurable disease At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: At least 30 days since other prior investigational drugs