A Phase II Study of Paclitaxel, UFT, and Leucovorin in Patients With Metastatic Esophageal Cancer

INCLUSION * Histologic proof of esophageal cancer * No more than one prior non-taxane chemotherapy regimen for either treatment of localized disease or metastatic disease AND they may not have received a regimen containing low dose continuous infusion of 5-FU (i.e. \>5 days of infusion/cycle), capecitabine or UFT * No prior therapy with UFT+/-leucovorin, a taxane, capecitabine, low dose continuous infusion of 5-FU or ethynyl uracil. * Radiographic or physical examination documentation of metastatic disease * No major surgery within the 2 weeks preceding the start of treatment and fully recovered from any complications of surgery * No radiation within 2 weeks of beginning chemotherapy. * No chemotherapy within 4 weeks of beginning treatment. * Patients must wait at least 6 weeks after receiving BCNU or Mitomycin-C. * Minimum life expectancy of 3 months * Informed consent given * Laboratory values within limits set by study. EXCLUSION * More than one prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease * Current serious medical or psychiatric illness that would prevent informed consent or intensive treatment * \>grade 1 peripheral sensory or motor neuropathy * Pregnant * Patient is taking the drug Sorivudine