Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal serous cancer that
is resistant to platinum therapy

- Platinum resistance as defined by one of the following:

- Relapse within 6 months of platinum based chemotherapy

- Residual disease after completion of platinum based chemotherapy

- Disease progression while receiving platinum based chemotherapy

- Marker only relapse (CA-125 elevation) and measurable disease

- Bidimensionally measurable disease on exam or CT scan

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Sex:

- Female

Performance status:

- ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

- Greater than 2 months

Hematopoietic:

- WBC at least 3,000/mm3

- Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN)

- SGPT or SGOT no greater than 1.5 times ULN

- Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

- Acceptable cardiac exam

- No active cardiac ischemia

Pulmonary:

- Acceptable pulmonary exam

- No active pulmonary infection or compromise

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

- No severe peripheral neuropathy (grade 2 or greater)

- No other significant psychiatric or medical conditions that would interfere with
compliance

- No other malignancies within the past 3 years, except:

- Limited basal or squamous cell skin cancer

- Carcinoma in situ of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- No prior cytokine therapy

Chemotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for ovarian epithelial or peritoneal serous
cancer

- Prior paclitaxel allowed

- No prior docetaxel

- At least 3 years since prior chemotherapy for other disease

Endocrine therapy:

- Not specified

Radiotherapy:

- No prior pelvic radiotherapy

Surgery:

- Not specified