Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Persistent Endometrial Carcinoma (Cancer)

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed endometrial carcinoma * Recurrent or persistent disease * Refractory to curative or standard therapy * Measurable disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan * At least 1 target lesion * Tumors within a previously irradiated field are not considered target lesions * Received 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for endometrial carcinoma, including high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy administered after surgical or non-surgical assessment * One additional non-cytotoxic regimen for recurrent or persistent disease allowed, including monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, and small-molecule inhibitors of signal transduction * Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * Any age Performance status * GOG 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * SGOT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No neuropathy (sensory and motor) ≥ grade 2 * No active infection requiring antibiotics * No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic therapy for malignant tumor * No concurrent prophylactic growth factors * No concurrent prophylactic thrombopoietic agents Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * Recovered from prior chemotherapy * No more than 1 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen (single or combination cytotoxic drugs) Endocrine therapy * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for malignant tumor * Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * Recovered from prior radiotherapy Surgery * Recovered from prior surgery Other * At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy for malignant tumor * No prior anticancer therapy that would preclude current protocol therapy * No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents