SU5416 in Treating Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Cervical Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed cervical squamous cell carcinoma * Persistent or recurrent disease with documented progression * No nonsquamous cell cervical malignancies, including adenosquamous carcinoma * At least 1 measurable lesion * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques, including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, or MRI OR * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Failed prior local therapeutic measures * Ineligible for higher priority GOG protocol (e.g., any active GOG phase III protocol for the same patient population) * Tumor must be accessible for biopsy using direct- or guided-needle technique PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Not specified Performance status: * GOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Platelet count at least lower limit of normal * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN OR * Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: * No uncompensated coronary artery disease on electrocardiogram or physical examination * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * No severe/unstable angina within the past 6 months * No severe peripheral vascular disease * No deep vein or arterial thrombosis within the past 3 months Pulmonary: * No pulmonary embolism within the past 3 months Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Must have central venous access * No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * No prior allergic reaction to paclitaxel * No active infection requiring antibiotics * No peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 1 * No contraindications to low-dose (1 mg/day) warfarin or low-molecular weight heparin prophylaxis * No claustrophobia that would preclude MRI studies * No ferromagnetic implants or pacers * No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except non-melanoma skin cancer * No other concurrent circumstances that would preclude study completion PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics Biologic therapy: * No prior antiangiogenesis agents, including SU5416 * At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic agents directed at malignancy Chemotherapy: * No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen, including single or combination cytotoxic drug therapy (radiosensitizers do not count as prior regimen) * At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy directed at malignancy and recovered Endocrine therapy: * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at malignancy * Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed Radiotherapy: * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy directed at malignancy and recovered Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior surgery for malignancy and recovered Other: * No prior cancer therapy that would preclude study