This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of 3-AP and doxorubicin in treating patients with metastatic or refractory solid tumors. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as doxorubicin, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. 3-AP may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for tumor cell growth and may help doxorubicin kill more cancer cells by making them more sensitive to the drug.