DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced nonhematologic malignancy that has progressed on standard therapy or for which no curative therapy exists
• No brain metastases

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/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• ALT and AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) unless due to hepatic metastases

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Other:

• No chronic medical condition requiring treatment with corticosteroids
• No prior severe hypersensitivity reaction to agents containing Cremophor (polyoxyethylated castor oil)
• No serious uncontrolled medical disorder, active infection, or psychiatric disorder (e.g., dementia) that would preclude study
• No preexisting neurotoxicity grade 1 or greater
• 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 and recovered
• No concurrent immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered
• No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease
• No prior platinum or taxane therapy
• No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• At least 2 weeks since prior hormonal therapy (except megestrol for anorexia/cachexia) and recovered
• At least 7 days since prior corticosteroids
• No concurrent corticosteroids
• No concurrent hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy to 30% or more of bone marrow and recovered
• No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• No other concurrent investigational drug