DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced or metastatic solid tumor incurable by surgery or other standard therapy
• Tumor site accessible by biopsy
• No brain metastasis

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

• More than 3 months

Hematopoietic:

• WBC at least 4,500/mm3
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm3
• Platelet count at least 150,000/mm3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin normal
• SGOT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

• Creatinine normal
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

• No New York Heart Association class III or IV congestive heart failure

Other:

• No peripheral neuropathy greater than grade I
• No history of allergic reactions to diuretics or antiemetics (e.g., 5-HT3 antagonists) that would preclude study
• No other uncontrolled illness that would preclude study, including intolerance to vigorous hydration
• No medical, social, or psychological factors that would preclude study
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosoureas) and recovered
• No greater than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens
• Prior cisplatin allowed if cumulative dose no greater than 400 mg/m2

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from any prior surgery

Other:

• At least 30 days since prior investigational drugs
• No other concurrent investigational drugs
• No other concurrent anticancer agents