BMS-247550 in Treating Patients With Metastatic Stomach Cancer Previously Treated With Chemotherapy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma originating in the stomach or gastroesophageal junction

  * Failed prior taxane-based chemotherapy regimen\* in the metastatic setting OR
  * Relapsed within 6 months of completing taxane-based chemotherapy\* in the adjuvant setting
* Bidimensionally measurable metastatic disease

  * No prior radiotherapy to only measurable target lesion
* No squamous cell or sarcomatous disease
* No known brain metastases NOTE: \*Regimen must have included a fluopyrimidine and/or a platinum drug

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 18 and over

Performance status:

* ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

* At least 12 weeks

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm\^3
* Platelet count greater than 125,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases present)

Renal:

* Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN

Cardiovascular:

* No unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or congestive heart failure within the past 6 months

Other:

* No other malignancy within the past 2 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
* No serious concurrent infection
* No nonmalignant uncontrolled medical illness that would preclude study
* No psychiatric disorder or other condition that would preclude study compliance
* No neuropathy (neuromotor or neurosensory) of grade 2 or greater
* No known severe hypersensitivity to agents containing Cremophor EL
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 2 months after the study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* No concurrent immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease
* Prior neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy allowed
* No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease
* No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

* No concurrent hormonal therapy except hormone replacement therapy

Radiotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
* No prior radiotherapy to major bone marrow-containing areas (e.g., pelvis or lumbar spine)
* No concurrent therapeutic radiotherapy

Surgery:

* At least 1 week since prior minor surgery and recovered
* At least 3 weeks since prior major surgery and recovered

Other:

* No other concurrent experimental anticancer medications