Capecitabine in Treating Patients With Recurrent Ovarian Epithelial or Primary Peritoneal Cavity Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically proven recurrent ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal cavity cancer
* Measurable disease

  * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion
  * Ascites and pleural effusions are not considered measurable disease
* Prior therapy must include 1 platinum-based chemotherapy regimen for primary disease containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound

  * Treatment-free interval of 6-12 months after response to platinum therapy
* Not eligible for higher priority GOG protocol

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* Any age

Performance status:

* GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count at least lower limit of normal

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 clearance at least 50 mL/min

Other:

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

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic therapy
* No concurrent prophylactic filgrastim (G-CSF)

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* If no prior therapy with paclitaxel, a second regimen including paclitaxel allowed
* No prior capecitabine or fluorouracil
* No prior chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease, including pretreatment with initial chemotherapy regimens
* Recovered from prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

* At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at malignant tumor
* Concurrent continuation of hormone replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

* At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
* No prior radiotherapy to site(s) of measurable disease
* No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of bone marrow

Surgery:

* Recovered from prior surgery

Other:

* No prior cancer treatment that would preclude study therapy
* No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents