DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal carcinoma

  • Recurrent or persistent disease

• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable target lesion* defined as:

  • At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan NOTE: *Tumors within a previously irradiated field are not considered target lesions unless progression is documented or a biopsy is obtained to confirm persistence at least 90 days following completion of radiation therapy

• Must have received 1 prior platinum-based chemotherapeutic regimen containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound for primary disease

  • Initial treatment may have included high-dose, consolidation, or extended therapy administered after surgical or non-surgical assessment
  • Patients who have not received prior paclitaxel may receive a second regimen containing paclitaxel
• Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol (e.g., any active phase III GOG protocol for the same patient population)

• Platinum-sensitive disease

  • Platinum-free interval** of more than 6 months, but less than 12 months duration, with no clinical evidence of progressive disease after response to platinum NOTE: **Any nonplatinum maintenance or consolidation therapy is not included in the calculation of platinum-free interval

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 to 85

Performance status

• GOG 0-2 for patients who received 1 prior therapy regimen
• GOG 0-1 for patients who received 2 prior therapy regimens

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)
• SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal

• Creatinine normal OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular

• No prior congestive heart failure requiring medication
• No uncontrolled hypertension within the past 6 months

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other invasive malignancies within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
• No history of retinopathy and/or macular degeneration
• No neuropathy (sensory and motor) greater than grade 1
• No active infection requiring antibiotics
• No other illness or condition that would preclude study entry

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• No prior bone marrow or stem cell transplantation
• At least 3 weeks since prior biologic therapy or immunotherapy for malignant tumor
• One prior non-cytotoxic regimen (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, cytokines, or small-molecule signal transduction inhibitors) allowed

Chemotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered
• No prior irofulven
• No additional prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for recurrent or persistent disease, including retreatment with initial chemotherapy regimens

Endocrine therapy

• At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for malignant tumor
• 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 prior surgery

Other

• At least 3 weeks since any other prior therapy for malignant tumor
• No prior anticancer treatment that would preclude study therapy
• One prior noncytotoxic cytostatic regimen for recurrent or persistent disease allowed