PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal SGOT/SGPT no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 1.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception for 3 months prior to and during study Able to take oral medication No active infection No other prior or concurrent malignancies except basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No other severe medical problem unrelated to malignancy that would preclude study compliance or expose patient to extreme risk No condition of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or otherwise that would affect GI absorption and motility No history of hypersensitivity reactions to paclitaxel or other drugs formulated in polyoxyethylated castor oil