Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed recurrent or advanced carcinoma of the
cervix not amenable to surgery or radiotherapy Squamous cell OR Adenocarcinoma OR
Adenosquamous carcinoma Measurable disease Brain metastases treated with surgery or
radiotherapy allowed if no residual symptoms or medications (e.g., anticonvulsants,
corticosteroids)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At
least 3 months Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least
100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin greater than 9 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper
limit of normal (ULN) AST/ALT less than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than
1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No severe cardiac dysfunction or arrhythmia Other: Not pregnant
or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No
concurrent unstable medical illness, infection, or other significant medical problem No
clinically apparent neuropathy, including hearing loss No psychological, familial,
sociological, or geographical conditions that may preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Prior neoadjuvant
chemosensitization therapy allowed At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks
since prior mitomycin or nitrosoureas) and recovered Prior cisplatin therapy allowed No
prior chemotherapy for advanced disease Endocrine therapy: No concurrent corticosteroids
Radiotherapy: At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: Prior
surgery allowed Other: No concurrent anticonvulsants No concurrent antiarrhythmic
medication