Furyl or thienyl carbonyl substituted taxanes and pharmaceutical compositions containing them

Taxane derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is phenyl or p-nitrophenyl, PA1 R.sub.3 is furyl or thienyl, PA1 T.sub.1 is hydrogen, hydroxyl protecting group, or --COT.sub.2, PA1 T.sub.2 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 alkynyl or monocylic aryl, PA1 Ac is acetyl, and PA1 E.sub.1 and E.sub.2 are independently selected from hydrogen and functional groups which increase the water solubility of the taxane derivative are useful as antitumor agents.