Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage III or IV ovarian epithelial cancer
or primary peritoneal carcinoma

- Recurrent or refractory disease

- Previously treated with 1, and only 1, prior chemotherapy regimen
containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound and
paclitaxel or docetaxel

- Initial treatment may include high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy
administered after surgical or non-surgical assessment

- Bidimensionally measurable disease by physical exam, CT scan, or MRI

- Ascites and pleural effusions are not measurable disease

- No prior irradiation to indicator lesions

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

- 18 to 75

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

- No prior bleeding disorder or unexplained bleeding

Hepatic

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- SGOT/SGPT 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

- No active infection requiring antibiotics

- No grade 2 or greater neuropathy (sensory and motor)

- No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer

- No prior recurrent grade 2 or greater hypersensitivity reactions to Cremophor EL,
docetaxel, or paclitaxel

- No other medical condition that would preclude study participation

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

- At least 3 weeks since prior biologic or immunologic therapy for ovarian epithelial
or primary peritoneal carcinoma

Chemotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered

- No prior ixabepilone

- No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy (including retreatment with initial chemotherapy
regimens) for recurrent or persistent ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal
carcinoma

Endocrine therapy

- At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for ovarian epithelial or primary
peritoneal carcinoma

- Concurrent hormonal replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

- No prior radiotherapy to a site of measurable disease used on study

- No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of bone marrow

Surgery

- See Disease Characteristics

- Recovered from prior surgery

Other

- At least 3 weeks since other prior therapies for ovarian epithelial or primary
peritoneal carcinoma

- No prior cancer treatment for other invasive malignancies that would preclude study
participation

- No concurrent heparin or other anticoagulants

- No concurrent Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) or any product containing this
compound