DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed advanced solid tumor

  • Any histology allowed

• Refractory to standard therapy OR no standard therapy exists

  • Previously untreated non-small cell lung cancer allowed, provided abnormal liver function is present, defined as moderate (group 3) or severe (group 4)

• Measurable disease not required

  • Present measurable disease requires baseline measurements within 4 weeks of study entry
• Patients with acute hepatitis from viral or drug etiologies should recover to a stable baseline prior to study therapy

• History of brain metastasis allowed, provided the following criteria are met:

  • Metastasis has been controlled by radiotherapy or surgery
  • Patient is not currently on corticosteroids
  • Neurologic status is stable

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Karnofsky performance status 70-100%
• Life expectancy ≥ 2 months
• ANC = 1,500/mm³
• Platelet count = 100,000/mm³
• Hemoglobin = 10 g/dL (transfusion to this level allowed)
• Creatinine < 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance > 60 mL/ min
• Patients with EKG evidence of first- or second-degree AV block or left or right bundle branch block are ineligible for the lidocaine bolus, but may otherwise be treated on this protocol
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No concurrent illness (e.g., cardiovascular, pulmonary, or central nervous system) that is poorly controlled or of such severity that the investigator deems unwise to enter the patient on protocol
• Must have ability to comply with study treatment and required tests
• Obstructive jaundice requires a drainage procedure prior to study treatment

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from prior therapy
• At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosourea therapy)
• No prior radiotherapy to > 30% of the bone marrow or more than standard adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy for rectal cancer