Docetaxel and Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer or Other Solid Tumors

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as docetaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Erlotinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving docetaxel together with erlotinib may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects and best dose of erlotinib when given together with docetaxel in treating patients with solid tumors and to see how well they work in treating patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. (Phase I portion of the study treating patients with any solid tumor was completed as of 12/01/2004)