DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma

  • Recurrent disease following prior initial therapy with platinum-based regimen

    • No more than 2 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens for recurrent disease
    • No more than 1 prior non-platinum, non-taxane regimen
• At least 1 site of radiographically measurable disease AND/OR
• CA-125 levels at least 50% above upper limits of normal for a minimum of 2 samples

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• Not specified

Performance status

• Karnofsky 70-100%

Life expectancy

• Not specified

Hematopoietic

• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic

• Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT less than 1.5 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase less than 1.5 times ULN

Renal

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

Other

• No unresolved, pre-existing grade 2 or greater neurotoxicity from prior treatment with neurotoxic drugs
• No active uncontrolled infection
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered

Chemotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered

Endocrine therapy

• At least 4 weeks since prior endocrine therapy and recovered

Radiotherapy

• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy (except for palliative reasons) and recovered

Surgery

• Not specified

Other

• At least 4 weeks since other prior investigational drugs and recovered