Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Ovarian Epithelial Cancer or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed recurrent or persistent ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal cancer
* Measurable disease

  * At least 1 lesion measured in at least 1 dimension

    * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
    * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
* At least 1 target lesion

  * Tumors within a previously irradiated field considered non-target lesions
* Paclitaxel resistant

  * Treatment-free interval of less than 6 months duration after treatment with prior paclitaxel OR
  * Progression during prior paclitaxel-based therapy
* Platinum resistant or refractory

  * Treatment-free interval of less than 6 months duration after treatment with prior platinum OR
  * Progression during prior platinum-based therapy
* Ineligible for higher priority GOG protocol (any active GOG phase III protocol for the same patient population)

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 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 prior invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
* No grade 2 or greater neuropathy (sensory and motor)

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic agents for cancer

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for cancer and recovered
* Received at least 1 but no more than 2 prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimens containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or other organoplatinum compound for primary or recurrent disease
* Initial treatment may include high-dose therapy, consolidation, or extended therapy
* Received at least 1 prior paclitaxel-based chemotherapy regimen
* No prior paclitaxel or docetaxel with a schedule of less than a 3-week interval between doses
* No additional prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease, including retreatment with initial chemotherapy regimens

Endocrine therapy:

* At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for cancer
* Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for cancer and recovered
* No prior radiotherapy to site(s) of measurable disease
* No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of marrow-bearing areas

Surgery:

* At least 3 weeks since prior surgery for cancer and recovered

Other:

* At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy for cancer
* No prior anticancer treatment that would preclude study
* No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents