DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven metastatic (D1 or D2) hormone refractory adenocarcinoma of the prostate with one of the following: -Bidimensionally measurable disease -Bone only metastases with rising PSA levels -PSA only disease defined as rising PSA levels with prior confirmation of D1 or D2 disease PSA must be greater than 8 if bone only or PSA only disease Hormone failure defined as progression after treatment with orchiectomy, LHRH agonist, DES alone, or any hormonal treatment in combination with antiandrogen therapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte 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 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Other: No other active malignancies within the past 5 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or other in situ cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No prior estramustine alone or in combination with other chemotherapy No prior taxanes No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen Endocrine therapy: Concurrent primary hormonal therapy allowed (LHRH agonist or orchiectomy) At least 4 weeks since prior antiandrogen therapy with at least 2 rises in PSA levels Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy At least 8 weeks since prior strontium-89 therapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics