SU5416 in Treating Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Cancer of the Head and Neck

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven epidermoid/squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, lip, hypopharynx, oropharynx, nasopharynx, sinonasal tract, or larynx; undifferentiated carcinoma of the nasopharynx (WHO type III); sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma; or squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary or the skin with initial presentation in the head and neck region * Advanced or recurrent disease that is incurable with surgery or radiotherapy * No more than 2 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens for recurrent, persistent, or metastatic disease * Prior exposure to chemopreventive agents (e.g., tretinoin or other vitamin analogues) is not considered to be a prior cytotoxic chemotherapy exposure * At least 1 measurable indicator lesion * Bone metastases, elevated enzyme levels, or lesions on radionuclide scans are not acceptable as the sole parameters of measurable disease * No history of brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * WBC greater than 3,000/mm3 * Hemoglobin greater than 8 g/dL * Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 * No history of coagulation disorder Hepatic: * Bilirubin normal * SGOT less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal * PT no greater than 14 seconds * aPTT no greater than 40 seconds Renal: * Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL OR * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: * No uncompensated coronary artery disease * No myocardial infarction or severe/unstable angina within the past 6 months * No severe peripheral vascular disease associated with diabetes mellitus * No deep venous or arterial thrombosis within the past 3 months * No unstable cardiac rhythm * No cerebrovascular accident within the past 6 months Pulmonary: * No pulmonary embolism within the past 3 months Other: * No history of allergic reaction to paclitaxel * No other active malignancy except: * Basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer * Carcinoma in situ of the cervix * Synchronous epidermoid/squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (oral cavity, lip, hypopharynx, oropharynx, nasopharynx, sinonasal tract, or larynx) * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No active bacterial infection requiring antibiotics * No other concurrent medical condition that would increase risk PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics