Geldanamycin Analogue in Treating Patients With Advanced Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically proven malignancies refractory to conventional treatment or for which no standard therapy exists * Primary brain tumor or brain metastases allowed if stable symptoms within 2 weeks prior to study and able to give informed consent PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 to 75 Performance status: * WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: * At least 3 months Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 3,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin at least 10.0 g/dL * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin less than 1.0 mg/dL * AST and ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal if due to liver metastases * No chronic liver disease Renal: * Creatinine less than 1.47 mg/dL OR * Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * No angina requiring treatment within the past 6 months * No uncompensated coronary artery disease by electrocardiogram or physical examination * No prior transient ischemic attacks, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease * LVEF at least 45% Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study * No allergy to egg products * No nonmalignant systemic disease that would increase risk * No active uncontrolled infection * No diabetes mellitus with evidence of severe peripheral vascular disease or diabetic ulcers PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas and mitomycin) and recovered * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * At least 4 weeks since other prior endocrine therapy and recovered * Concurrent corticosteroids for symptom control allowed if no change in dose requirement within 2 weeks prior to study Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy (except for palliative reasons) and recovered * Concurrent radiotherapy allowed for control of bone pain or as indicated Surgery: * Not specified Other: * No other concurrent investigational treatment * No concurrent treatment with drugs interfering with hepatic CYP3A4 metabolism (e.g., grapefruit juice or warfarin)