BMS-247550 in Treating Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma * Distant metastases OR * Locoregional disease that has failed or is not amenable to locoregional therapy * No de novo locoregional disease * No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Adult Performance status: * Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT or SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase less than 2.5 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: * No recent myocardial infarction, unstable angina, or life-threatening arrhythmia Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or stage I or II cancer in remission * No prior severe hypersensitivity reaction to drugs containing Cremophor EL * No active or uncontrolled infection * No severe psychiatric disorders PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * No prior neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or primary immunotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer * No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy Chemotherapy: * No prior neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or primary chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer * No other concurrent anticancer chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * No prior neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or primary hormonal therapy for advanced pancreatic cancer * No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: * No prior neoadjuvant, adjuvant, or primary radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer * Prior palliative radiotherapy allowed if at least 1 lesion remains outside of radiation field or at least 1 lesion has progressed since radiotherapy * No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy except palliative radiotherapy to non-target metastatic sites Surgery: * At least 2 weeks since prior surgery for pancreatic cancer and recovered Other: * No other concurrent anticancer therapy * No concurrent herbal or unconventional therapy (e.g., St. John's Wort)