Combination Chemotherapy Following Surgery in Treating Patients With Urinary Tract Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium including bladder, ureter, and renal pelvis * T3b-4, N0, M0 OR * Any T, N1-3, M0 * Cystectomy within the past 8 weeks PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Not specified Performance status: * ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: * At least 12 months Hematopoietic: * Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST or ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine no greater than ULN * Albumin no greater than ULN Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No other prior malignancy except curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or non-melanoma skin cancer * No active serious infection, other serious underlying medical condition, dementia, or significantly altered mental status that would preclude study participation * No known hypersensitivity to Cremophor EL * No pre-existing clinically significant grade 2 or greater neuropathy * No AIDS (HIV positivity alone allowed) * No known hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived products PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * No prior chemotherapy for malignancy * No neoadjuvant chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * No prior radiotherapy for malignancy Surgery: * See Disease C…