DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed fallopian tube cancer, Muellerian mixed tumor, endometrial cancer, uterine sarcoma, ovarian cancer with sarcoma parts, or cervical cancer

  • No ovarian epithelial cancer

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-2 OR
• Karnofsky 70-100%

Life expectancy:

• At least 3 months

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3
• Hemoglobin greater than 10.0 g/dL

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.25 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

• Glomerular filtration rate at least 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

• No atrial or ventricular arrhythmias
• No congestive heart failure even if stabilized on medication
• No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months

Other:

• No pre-existing sensory or motor neuropathy grade 2 or greater
• No active infection
• No other serious medical condition that would preclude study
• Not pregnant
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy

Chemotherapy:

• No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for the malignancy
• No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• Prior hormonal therapy within the past 10 days allowed
• No concurrent hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

• At least 6 weeks since prior radiotherapy to no more than 25% of bone marrow

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• At least 30 days since prior experimental agents
• No other concurrent therapies that would preclude study
• No concurrent participation in another study