Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed previously untreated ovarian cancer, fallopian tube
carcinoma, papillary serous cancer of the uterus, or primary peritoneal carcinoma

- Suboptimally debulked stage III or suboptimally or optimally debulked stage IV

- Measurable or evaluable disease

- CNS lesions, lytic bone lesions, and radiated lesions (unless there is
documented progression after radiotherapy) are not considered measurable

- CA 125 levels above 49 units/mL in the absence of cirrhosis or nonmalignant
gross ascites are considered evaluable

- Ineligible for other high-priority national or institutional study

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- Over 18

Performance status:

- ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy:

- More than 2 months

Hematopoietic:

- WBC greater than 3,000/mm3

- Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- SGOT and/or SGPT less than 2.5 times ULN OR

- SGOT and/or SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN if alkaline phosphatase no greater
than ULN OR

- Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 4 times ULN if SGOT and/or SGPT no greater than
ULN

- No SGOT and/or SGPT greater than 1.5 times ULN with alkaline phosphatase greater than
2.5 times ULN

- Alkaline phosphatase less than 350 U/L

Renal:

- BUN less than 1.5 times normal

- Creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN

Other:

- No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated carcinoma in
situ of the cervix or skin cancer

- No other serious medical or psychiatric illness

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Not specified

Chemotherapy:

- No prior chemotherapy

- No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- No concurrent hormone therapy

Radiotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- No prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics