Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed stage IC-IV ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or
peritoneal carcinoma

- No tumors of low-malignant potential (borderline tumors)

- No symptomatic brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- ECOG 0-2 OR

- Karnofsky 70-100%

Life expectancy:

- At least 6 months

Hematopoietic:

- WBC at least 3,000/mm^3

- Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3

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

- Hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dL

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

- Glomerular filtration rate at least 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

- No history of congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class III or IV
heart disease) even if medically controlled

- No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months

- No history of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias

Neurologic:

- No history of seizure disorder

- No history of CNS disorder

- No pre-existing motor or sensory neuropathy or symptoms grade 2 or greater

Other:

- No severe concurrent infection

- No prior hypersensitivity reaction to products containing Cremophor EL or compounds
chemically related to carboplatin, paclitaxel, or gemcitabine

- No complete bowel obstruction

- No other concurrent severe medical problems that would preclude study

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- No concurrent immunotherapy

- No concurrent WBC transfusions

Chemotherapy:

- No prior chemotherapy

- No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- No concurrent hormonal therapy except replacement therapy or steroid antiemetics

Radiotherapy:

- No prior radiotherapy

- No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

- No more than 6 weeks since prior definitive surgery