BMS-188797 and Carboplatin in Treating Patients With Advanced Nonhematologic Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced nonhematologic malignancy that has progressed on standard therapy or for which no curative therapy exists
* No brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 18 and over

Performance status:

* ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

* At least 3 months

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
* ALT and AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) unless due to hepatic metastases

Renal:

* Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Other:

* No chronic medical condition requiring treatment with corticosteroids
* No prior severe hypersensitivity reaction to agents containing Cremophor (polyoxyethylated castor oil)
* No serious uncontrolled medical disorder, active infection, or psychiatric disorder (e.g., dementia) that would preclude study
* No preexisting neurotoxicity grade 1 or greater
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered
* No concurrent immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

* At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered
* No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease
* No prior platinum or taxane therapy
* No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

* At least 2 weeks since prior hormonal therapy (except megestrol for anorexia/cachexia) and recovered
* At least 7 days since prior corticosteroids
* No concurrent corticosteroids
* No concurrent hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

* At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy to 30% or more of bone marrow and recovered
* No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

* Not specified

Other:

* No other concurrent investigational drug