Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal cancer

- Recurrent or persistent disease

- Platinum-resistant disease

- At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

- At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan

- At least 1 target lesion to assess response (tumors within a previously irradiated
field are designated as non-target)

- Ineligible for a higher priority GOG study or other phase II cytotoxic study for
platinum-resistant disease

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)

- ALT 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

Cardiovascular

- No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months

- No cerebrovascular accident within the past 6 months

- No transient ischemic attack within the past 6 months

- No uncontrolled hypertension

- No decompensated or uncontrolled chronic heart failure

Other

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

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

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

- No active infection requiring antibiotics

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

- At least 3 weeks since prior biological or immunological agents

Chemotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered

- No more than 2 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens, with no more than 1
non-platinum, non-taxane regimen

- No prior karenitecin or camptothecin analogue/derivative

Endocrine therapy

- At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy

- Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

- No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of marrow-bearing areas

Surgery

- Recovered from recent surgery

Other

- At least 3 weeks since prior therapy directed at this malignancy

- No prior anticancer therapy that would preclude study therapy

- No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents