Inclusion Criteria

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