Pralatrexate and Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Stage IV Esophageal or Gastroesophageal Cancer Who Have Failed Platinum-Based Therapy

RATIONALE: Pralatrexate may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. 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. Giving pralatrexate together with docetaxel may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving pralatrexate together with docetaxel works in treating patients with stage IV esophageal or gastroesophageal cancer who have failed platinum-based therapy.