S0224, Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Penile Cancer (TERMINATED)

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed epidermoid carcinoma of the penis * Distant metastases (M1) OR * Pathologically confirmed regional nodal metastases (N1-3) * Measurable disease * Soft tissue disease irradiated within the past 2 months is not considered measurable disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * Not specified Performance status * Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * White blood cell (WBC) count at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) * Aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT) no greater than 2.5 times ULN * If SGOT is greater than ULN, alkaline phosphatase must be no greater than 2.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 4 times ULN * If alkaline phosphatase is greater than ULN, SGOT must be no greater than 1.5 times ULN Renal * Not specified Other * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or stage I or II cancer currently in complete remission * No grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy * No hypersensitivity to drugs formulated with polysorbate 80 (e.g., recombinant interferon alfa-2a, multivitamin infusion, etoposide, infliximab, or NovoSeven factor) PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * No prior chemotherapy for penile cancer Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 28 days since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery * Not specified