DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic or recurrent solid tumor that has failed standard therapy or for which no standard therapy exists No known brain metastases or carcinomatosis meningitis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: SWOG 0-2 OR Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.25 times ULN Calcium no greater than 12 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No symptomatic congestive heart failure No unstable angina pectoris No cardiac arrhythmia Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No evidence of neuropathy No history of allergy to platinum compounds No history of allergy to antiemetics appropriate for administration in conjunction with protocol directed chemotherapy No uncontrolled concurrent illness (e.g., ongoing or active infection) No medical, social, or psychological factors that would preclude consent and follow up

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered Chemotherapy: Prior chemotherapy, including fluorouracil and cisplatin, allowed At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin and nitrosoureas) and recovered Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: Recovered from prior surgery Other: At least 30 days since other prior investigational drugs No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies No concurrent antiretroviral therapy (HAART)