DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed persistent or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix
• Progressive disease

• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable target lesion

  • At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
  • At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  • Tumors within a previously irradiated field are not considered target lesions

• One prior systemic chemotherapeutic regimen for advanced, metastatic, or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix required

  • Chemotherapy administered as a radiosensitizer in conjunction with primary radiotherapy is not considered a systemic chemotherapy regimen
• Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol (e.g., any active Phase III GOG protocol or GOG-0076)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• Not specified

Performance status:

• GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

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

Cardiovascular:

• No congestive heart failure
• No unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or new cardiac arrhythmia within the past 6 months

Other:

• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No active infection requiring antibiotics
• No greater than grade 1 sensory and motor neuropathy
• No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic therapy directed at malignant tumor
• One prior noncytotoxic regimen (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, or small-molecule signal transduction inhibitors) for recurrent or persistent disease allowed

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from prior chemotherapy
• No prior docetaxel
• No more than 1 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen

Endocrine therapy:

• At least one week since prior hormonal therapy directed at malignant tumor
• Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Recovered from recent prior surgery

Other:

• At least 3 weeks since any prior therapy directed at malignant tumor
• No prior anticancer therapy that would preclude study
• No concurrent amifostine or other protective agents