Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Head and Neck Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven recurrent or refractory head and neck cancer Measurable or evaluable disease At least one prior chemotherapy regimen for recurrent or metastatic disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2 mg/dL AST or ALT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Calcium within normal limits Cardiovascular: No New York Heart Association class III-IV heart disease No myocardial infarction within 6 months No congestive heart failure No unstable angina No clinically significant pericardial effusions or arrhythmias Neurologic: No peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 1 Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraceptive method Negative pregnancy test No active infection or serious underlying medical condition No history of hypersensitivity to drugs containing Cremophor (teniposide, cyclosporine, or vitamin K) No prior invasive malignancies within the past 2 years, except: Curatively treated basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin Carcinoma in situ of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 3 weeks since prior immunotherapy No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 5 weeks since prior nitrosoureas, melphalan, or mitomycin At least 3 weeks since other prior chemotherapy Prior taxane therapy allowed only if administered on a 3 week or greater schedule No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 3 weeks since prior hormonal therapy Concurrent megestrol (Megace) allowed No other concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to greater than 30% of bone marrow No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 3 weeks since major surgery Other: At least 1 week since prior parenteral antibiotics