Docetaxel and Irinotecan in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven solid malignancy for which no effective therapy is currently available CNS metastases allowed if CNS disease is stable for at least 4 weeks following completion of surgery and/or radiotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: At least 3 months Life expectancy: ECOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.2 mg/dL SGOT and/or SGPT no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 2.5 times ULN allowed if alkaline phosphatase no greater than ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN (no greater than 4 times ULN allowed if SGOT and/or SGPT no greater than ULN) Renal: Creatinine clearance at least 55 mL/min Other: HIV negative No active infection Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No concurrent medical condition that would preclude compliance with study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy regimens containing topotecan, irinotecan, or docetaxel At least 4 weeks since other prior chemotherapy (6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas, melphalan, or mitomycin) Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior wide field radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to greater than 20% of bone marrow Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Recovered from any prior surgery Other: No other concurrent investigational agents