BMS-247550 in Treating Patients With Advanced Cancers

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed malignant solid tumor or lymphoma for which no other potentially curative therapeutic option exists or demonstrates increased survival (considering tumor type, stage, and number of prior regimens) * No symptomatic brain metastases requiring dexamethasone * No progression or cerebral edema on CT scan or MRI within the past 4 weeks PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: * Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin at least 8.5 g/dL * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: * No atrial or ventricular arrhythmias requiring medication * No ischemic event within the past 6 months Other: * No pre-existing peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 1 * No other serious medical illness or active infection that would preclude study participation * No dementia, psychiatric illness, or other alteration in mental status that would preclude study compliance * No other active malignancy except curatively treated basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No history of allergy or hypersensitivity reaction to paclitaxel or other Cremophor EL-containing compound * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 2 months after study completion PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosoureas) and recovered * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior anticancer hormonal therapy and recovered * No concurrent hormonal therapy except LHRH agonists for non-castrated prostate cancer, contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy (e.g., conjugated estrogens), or megestrol as an appetite stimulant Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * Concurrent palliative radiotherapy to limited sites allowed Surgery: * At least 4 weeks since prior surgery and recovered Other: * At least 30 days since prior investigational agents and recovered * No other concurrent experimental medications * No concurrent antiretroviral (HAART) therapy for HIV-positive patients