OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the safety and plasma concentration profiles of oblimersen (G3139) administered alone or in combination with docetaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors expressing the bcl-2 oncogene. II. Determine the plasma concentration profiles, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and/or optimal biologic dose (OBD) of this treatment regimen in these patients. III. Determine the antitumor effects of G3139, at the MTD or OBD, in combination with docetaxel in patients with androgen-independent, refractory, or recurrent prostate cancer.