Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Advanced, persistent, or recurrent squamous or nonsquamous cell carcinoma of the
cervix with documented disease progression

- Histologic confirmation of the original primary tumor is required

- Disease must be measurable in at least one dimension by conventional techniques,
including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, or MRI

- Measurable disease is defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately
measured

- Each lesion must be ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques or ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT
scan

- Tumors within a previously irradiated field will be designated as "non-target"
lesions unless progression is documented or a biopsy is obtained to confirm
persistence ≥ 90 days after completion of radiation therapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- GOG performance status 0-2

- Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

- Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3

- Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN

- SGOT and alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN

- Neuropathy (sensory and motor) ≤ grade 1

- No active infection requiring antibiotics

- No evidence of more than one malignancy present within the past 5 years

- Nonmelanoma skin cancer allowed

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- No prior therapy with cytotoxic drugs for advanced or recurrent cervical carcinoma

- Prior cisplatin as a radiosensitizer for primary treatment of disease allowed

- No previous cancer treatment that contraindicates study treatment

- No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis except for the
treatment of cervical cancer

- No prior chemotherapy for any abdominal or pelvic tumor except for the treatment of
cervical cancer

- Recovered from effects of recent surgery, radiotherapy, or other therapy

- At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy

- More than 3 years since prior radiotherapy for localized cancer of the breast, head
and neck, or skin and free of recurrent or metastatic disease

- More than 3 years since prior adjuvant chemotherapy for localized breast cancer
provided patient is free of recurrent or metastatic disease

- No hormonal therapy directed at the malignant tumor within the past week

- Concurrent hormone replacement therapy is permitted

- No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents