DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed recurrent or metastatic ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal cancer

• Measurable disease

  • Ascites and pleural effusions are not considered measurable
  • Sonography allowed if bidimensionally measurable
• Must not be eligible for higher priority GOG protocol

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• Not specified

Performance status:

• GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• WBC at least 3,000/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
• Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times ULN

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL

Other:

• No other prior or concurrent invasive malignancy in the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
• No active infection

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• At least but no more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound combined with paclitaxel
• Second line therapy may include any agents except topoisomerase I inhibitors (i.e., topotecan)
• No prior nitrocamptothecin or topoisomerase I inhibitors
• At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

• At least 3 weeks since prior surgery and recovered

Other:

• No prior cancer therapy that contraindicates this study