DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed recurrent or advanced carcinoma of the cervix not amenable to surgery or radiotherapy Squamous cell OR Adenocarcinoma OR Adenosquamous carcinoma Measurable disease Brain metastases treated with surgery or radiotherapy allowed if no residual symptoms or medications (e.g., anticonvulsants, corticosteroids)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin greater than 9 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST/ALT less than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No severe cardiac dysfunction or arrhythmia Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No concurrent unstable medical illness, infection, or other significant medical problem No clinically apparent neuropathy, including hearing loss No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical conditions that may preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Prior neoadjuvant chemosensitization therapy allowed At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks since prior mitomycin or nitrosoureas) and recovered Prior cisplatin therapy allowed No prior chemotherapy for advanced disease Endocrine therapy: No concurrent corticosteroids Radiotherapy: At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: Prior surgery allowed Other: No concurrent anticonvulsants No concurrent antiarrhythmic medication