DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed recurrent or persistent ovarian epithelial cancer or primary peritoneal carcinoma Progressive disease on platinum-based treatment alone or in combination Two prior treatment regimens allowed only if other regimen was paclitaxel OR recurrence within 6 months of chemotherapy Measurable disease Not eligible for a higher priority GOG protocol

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 13 and over Performance status: GOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL SGOT/SGPT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Other: No significant infection Not pregnant Fertile patients must use effective contraception At least 5 years since prior malignancy; no prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy for that malignancy No concurrent malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered No prior treatment with aminocamptothecin Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior endocrine therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered No prior radiotherapy to site(s) of measurable disease used on this trial No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of marrow-bearing areas Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior surgery