DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed ovarian cancer Must have received at least one prior platinum based chemotherapy regimen and have relapsed within 2 years of last chemotherapy regimen Evaluable disease Radiology confirmation AND/OR Elevated CA 125 (at least 60 IU/L)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (unless documented Gilbert's syndrome) AST/ALT less than 3 times ULN (less than 5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal: Creatinine normal Cardiovascular: No unstable cardiovascular disease Other: No active, uncontrolled infection No other significant medical disorder or condition that would preclude study No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: Not specified Other: At least 30 days since prior investigational agents