Paclitaxel, Topotecan, and Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Advanced, Persistent, or Recurrent Cervical Cancer

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