Gemcitabine Plus Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Ovarian Epithelial Cancer or Primary Peritoneal Cancer That Is Recurrent or Has Not Responded to Platinum-based Chemotherapy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed primary ovarian epithelial cancer or primary peritoneal carcinoma

  * Recurrent or persistent disease
* Bidimensionally measurable disease by physical examination or medical imaging techniques

  * Sonography is acceptable if lesions are clearly defined on initial examination and bidimensionally measurable
  * Ascites and pleural effusions are not considered measurable disease
* Must not be eligible for a higher priority Gynecologic Oncology Group protocol
* Must have received one, and only one, prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound for management of primary disease

  * Initial treatment may include high-dose therapy, consolidation, or extended therapy administered after surgical or nonsurgical assessment
  * If no prior paclitaxel, a second regimen containing paclitaxel allowed
* Platinum-resistant or refractory (i.e., treatment-free interval after platinum-based therapy of less than 6 months or progressed during platinum-based therapy)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* Not specified

Performance status:

* GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN
* Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

* Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Other:

* Not pregnant
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* No active infection requiring antibiotics
* No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
* Sensory and motor neuropathy no greater than grade 1

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic therapy for ovarian or peritoneal cancer

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* No other prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease, including retreatment with initial chemotherapy regimens
* No prior gemcitabine
* At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for ovarian or peritoneal cancer and recovered

Endocrine therapy:

* At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for ovarian or peritoneal cancer
* Concurrent continuation of hormonal replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

* At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for ovarian or peritoneal cancer and recovered
* No prior radiotherapy to only site of measurable disease
* No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of bone marrow

Surgery:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 3 weeks since prior surgery for ovarian or peritoneal cancer and recovered

Other:

* At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy for ovarian or peritoneal cancer
* No prior cancer treatment that would preclude study