BMS-247550 in Treating Patients With Metastatic Stomach Cancer Previously Treated With Chemotherapy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma originating in the stomach or gastroesophageal junction * Failed prior taxane-based chemotherapy regimen\* in the metastatic setting OR * Relapsed within 6 months of completing taxane-based chemotherapy\* in the adjuvant setting * Bidimensionally measurable metastatic disease * No prior radiotherapy to only measurable target lesion * No squamous cell or sarcomatous disease * No known brain metastases NOTE: \*Regimen must have included a fluopyrimidine and/or a platinum drug PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count greater than 125,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Cardiovascular: * No unstable angina, myocardial infarction, or congestive heart failure within the past 6 months Other: * No other malignancy within the past 2 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No serious concurrent infection * No nonmalignant uncontrolled medical illness that would preclude study * No psychiatric disorder or other condition that would preclude study compliance * No neuropathy (neuromotor or neurosensory) of grade 2 or greater * No known severe hypersensitivity to agents containing Cremophor EL * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 2 months after the study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease * Prior neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy allowed * No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * No concurrent hormonal therapy except hormone replacement therapy Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * No prior radiotherapy to major bone marrow-containing areas (e.g., pelvis or lumbar spine) * No concurrent therapeutic radiotherapy Surgery: * At least 1 week since prior minor surgery and recovered * At least 3 weeks since prior major surgery and recovered Other: * No other concurrent experimental anticancer medications