Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed recurrent ovarian epithelial cancer

- Platinum resistant disease defined as:

- Progression during the most recent platinum-based chemotherapy OR

- Relapse less than 6 months after platinum-based chemotherapy

- Measurable or evaluable disease

- Elevated CA-125 only allowed

- Positive cytology only not eligible

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- SWOG 0-2

Hematopoietic:

- Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin less than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- AST less than 3 times ULN

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 2 mg/dL

Neurologic:

- No peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 2

Other:

- No other serious medical illness or psychiatric conditions.

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- No concurrent hematopoietic growth factors

Chemotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- No prior gemcitabine

- No prior paclitaxel administered weekly

Endocrine therapy:

- Not specified

Radiotherapy:

- Not specified

Surgery:

- Not specified

Other:

- Recovered from acute toxic effects secondary to prior therapy