DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed primary leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the uterus

  • Advanced, persistent, or recurrent disease that is refractory to curative therapy or established treatments

• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable target lesion

  • At least 20 mm by conventional techniques (e.g., palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, or MRI) OR
  • At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  • Tumors within a previously irradiated field are designated as non-target lesions
• Ineligible for a higher priority Gynecologic Oncology Group protocol (if one exists), including any active phase III protocol for the same population

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 1.5 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 grade 2 or greater sensory or motor neuropathy
• No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for LMS of the uterus

Endocrine therapy:

• At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for LMS of the uterus
• Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from prior recent radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Recovered from prior recent surgery

Other:

• Recovered from other prior recent therapy
• No prior cancer treatment that would preclude study therapy