DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically documented refractory or recurrent ovarian epithelial or fallopian tube cancer
• No borderline ovarian cancer
• Extra-ovarian papillary serous tumors eligible
• Must not be eligible for any higher priority phase II or III GOG protocol

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

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

Hepatic:

• SGOT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• Elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase allowed

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

• No angina pectoris or clinically significant multifocal uncontrolled cardiac dysrhythmias
• No uncontrolled hypertension

Other:

• No other active malignancy
• No prior malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer
• No active infection
• No underlying medical problem that would prevent compliance
• No known hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived drug preparations
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• Must have received at least 1 prior platinum- and paclitaxel-based regimen
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy
• No prior topotecan and/or gemcitabine
• No prior chemotherapy for a different prior malignancy

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• No prior radiotherapy to more than 10% of bone marrow
• At least 2 weeks since limited field radiation therapy

Surgery:

• Not specified