BACKGROUND Current regimens for treatment of distant metastases of soft tissues sarcomas result in response rates of about 25%. Therefore the search for active drugs remains a task for investigational groups. Taxoids offer a new class of cytostatic drugs. Docetaxel has been studied as a second line chemotherapy in advanced soft tissue sarcomas of the adult. METHODS In a multi-center non-randomized phase II study docetaxel was administered at a dose of 100 mg/m2 in a 1-hour i.v. infusion q 3 weeks. RESULTS Twenty-nine patients (pts), median age 52 yr, performance status WHO 0: 16 pts, WHO 1: 11 pts, WHO 2: 2 pts, were eligible. One patient had early death due to malignant disease, 1 patient died due to toxicity and progression, 1 pt refused after 1 course. Five partial responses (5/29 = 17%, C.I. 6%-36%) have been observed. Grade > or = 3 leucopenia occurred in 76% of patients and grade > or = 3 thrombopenia did not occur. Median nadir of neutrophils was 0.23 x 10(9)/l. Episodes of fever and documented infection have been observed in 10 and 5 pts respectively. Anaphylactoid type reactions occurred in 5 patients: ranging from flushing in 5 pts to cardiovascular symptoms in 1 pt. Sensory neurotoxicity was observed in 14 pts grade 1: 10 pts, grade 2: 3 pts, grade 3: 1 pt). Grade 1 motor neurotoxicity was experienced by 3 pts. Skin reactions (pruritus, erythema, urticaria, exfoliation grade 1: 11 pts, grade 2: 7 pts, grade 3: 1 pt, grade 4: 1 pt) in 20 pts, among them 9 patients with nail changes. Peripheral edema and fluid retention has been observed in 12 pts. CONCLUSIONS Taxotere has activity in adult soft tissue sarcoma in second line, warranting studies on first line efficacy.