DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of 1 of the following:

  • Solid tumor malignancy (phase I only)*
  • Prostate cancer (phase I only)*
  • Non-small cell lung cancer (phase I and II)* NOTE: *Phase I study closed to accrual as of 8/5/2004
• Recurrent, metastatic, locally advanced unresectable, or treatment-refractory disease

• Measurable disease

  • At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion at least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  • Previously irradiated lesions are considered measurable provided they have demonstrated progression before study entry

  • No bone-only disease

    • Must have measurable disease other than bone lesions
• No stage IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer without a malignant pleural or pericardial effusion that is eligible for first-line radical combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy

• No known progressive or symptomatic brain metastases

  • Asymptomatic brain metastases allowed

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 and over

Performance status

• ECOG 0-2 OR
• Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy

• More than 3 months

Hematopoietic

• WBC at least 3,000/mm^3
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
• No history of coagulopathy

Hepatic

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST/ALT no greater than 2 times ULN (3.5 times ULN if liver metastases are present)
• INR no greater than 1.3
• APTT no greater than 1.25 times ULN

Renal

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min

Cardiovascular

• No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• No evidence of cardiac dysfunction
• No unstable angina pectoris
• No cardiac arrhythmia

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No active peptic ulcer disease
• No poorly controlled diabetes mellitus
• No pre-existing grade 2 or greater neuropathy
• No ongoing or active infection
• No contraindication to corticosteroids
• No psychiatric illness or social situation that would limit compliance with study requirements
• No prior allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to study drugs
• No other concurrent uncontrolled illness

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• Not specified

Chemotherapy

• One, and only one, prior chemotherapy regimen for advanced disease (not including adjuvant therapy) allowed

  • Neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy allowed
• More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas and mitomycin) and recovered

Endocrine therapy

• Prior multiple lines of endocrine therapy for advanced solid tumors allowed
• More than 4 weeks since prior endocrine therapy and recovered
• Concurrent steroids allowed

Radiotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent radiotherapy to sole site of measurable disease

Surgery

• Prior surgery allowed

Other

• No concurrent anticoagulant therapy

  • Concurrent low-dose warfarin for central line thrombosis prophylaxis allowed
• No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients
• No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies intended to treat the malignancy
• Concurrent bisphosphonates allowed