DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed uterine leiomyosarcoma

  • Recurrent or persistent disease that is refractory to curative therapy or established treatments
  • Must have received 1 prior chemotherapy regimen that may include high-dose therapy, consolidation, or extended therapy after surgical or nonsurgical assessment

• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

  • At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
  • At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  • Lesions within a previously irradiated field allowed provided progression is documented or biopsy is obtained to confirm persistence at least 90 days following completion of radiation therapy
• Ineligible for a high priority GOG protocol

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

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

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.1 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Other:

• No active infection requiring antibiotics
• No motor or sensory neuropathy greater than grade 1
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
• Not pregnant
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• No more than 1 prior non-cytotoxic (biologic or cytostatic) regimen (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, or small-molecule signal transduction inhibitors) for recurrent or persistent disease
• At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic therapy for this disease

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• See Biologic therapy
• At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered
• No prior docetaxel or gemcitabine
• No other prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease, including retreatment with initial regimens
• No prior chemotherapy for another malignancy that would preclude study

Endocrine therapy:

• At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for this disease
• Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from prior recent surgery

Other:

• At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy for this disease
• No concurrent amifostine or other protective agents