OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel in advanced or recurrent adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. METHODS Thirty patients with advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer with measurable disease not previously treated with chemotherapy were treated with paclitaxel, 250 mg/m2, over 24 hr with G-CSF, 5 mcg/kg/day, from Days 2 to 12. The cycle was repeated every 21 days. Patients who had received previous pelvic radiation were treated at an initial paclitaxel dose of 200 mg/m2. Twenty-eight patients were evaluable for response, and 29 patients for toxicity. All patients were Gynecologic Oncology Group performance status 0,1, or 2. RESULTS Complete responses were observed in 4 (14.3%) and partial responses in 6 patients (21.4%) for a response rate of 35.7%. Severe (grade 3 or 4) leukopenia or thrombocytopenia was seen in 18 and 2 patients, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 gastrointestinal toxicity was seen in 5, neurotoxicity in 3, anemia in 2, and cardiac toxicity in 1 patients. Alopecia was reported in 16 patients. CONCLUSIONS This dose and schedule of paclitaxel are active in patients with advanced or recurrent adenocarcinoma of the endometrium and should be considered for inclusion in phase III trials.