Zoledronate in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors That Have Spread to the Bone

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnosis of any cancer other than breast cancer, multiple myeloma, or prostate cancer Objective evidence of bone metastases discovered within 6 weeks of study entry (patients who at screening present with an ECOG score of 2) No study entry restrictions for bone metastases for patients with an ECOG of 0 and 1 No symptomatic brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL for liver metastases Renal: Creatinine no greater than 3.0 mg/dL Calcium at least 8.0 mg/dL but less than 12.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No history of severe cardiovascular disease within past 6 months (e.g., congestive heart failure) No hypertension refractory to treatment No symptomatic coronary artery disease Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No history of noncompliance to medical regimen PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Concurrent biologic response modifier therapies allowed Concurrent marketed cytokine or colony stimulating factor therapies allowed Chemotherapy: Concurrent marketed chemotherapy agents allowed (including open label cooperative trials or for supportive care) Endocrine therapy: Concurrent hormonal agents and steroid therapies allowed Concurrent corticosteroid therapy allowed (for chemotherapy induced nausea/vomiting or spinal compression) Radiotherapy: Concurrent radiotherapy to treat extraskeletal and/or skeletal tumor sites allowed Surgery: Prior surgery to treat or prevent pathological fracture or spinal cord compression allowed Other: At least 30 days since other prior investigational drugs No concurrent bisphosphonate agent At least 30 days since prior bisphosphonate agent (single exposure allowed within prior 12 months)