RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die.

PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of E7070 in treating patients who have solid tumors.

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the maximum tolerated dose of E7070 in patients with solid tumors. II. Assess the qualitative and quantitative toxicity in terms of predictability, duration, intensity, onset, reversibility, and dose relationship of this treatment regimen in this patient population. III. Determine a safe dose for phase II evaluation. IV. Assess the pharmacokinetics of this treatment regimen in these patients. V. Determine any possible antitumor activity of this regimen in these patients.

OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation study. Patients receive E7070 IV over 1 hour once every 3 weeks. Treatment continues for at least 2 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of E7070 until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which at least 2 of 6 patients experience dose limiting toxicity.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 30 patients will be accrued for this study within 12 months.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed solid tumor not amenable to standard therapy No brain tumor involvement or leptomeningeal disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 to 70 Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL Transaminases and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 5 times ULN for liver metastases) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.4 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Other: No active bacterial infections (e.g., abscess or fistula) No other nonmalignant disease that precludes protocol therapy No history of alcoholism, drug addiction, or psychotic disorders that would prevent compliance No glaucoma Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior anticancer hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy (6 weeks for extensive radiotherapy) No concurrent radiotherapy except for localized palliation Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concurrent investigational drugs or antitumor drugs No sulphonylureas or anti-arrhythmic agents