DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed stage III or IV ovarian epithelial or serous primary peritoneal carcinoma

• The following are ineligible:

  • Germ cell tumors
  • Sex cord-stromal tumors
  • Carcinosarcomas
  • Mixed Mullerian tumors or carcinosarcomas
  • Metastatic carcinomas from other sites to the ovary
  • Low malignant potential tumors, including micropapillary serous carcinomas
  • Mucinous primary peritoneal carcinoma
• Prior ovarian low malignant potential tumor (borderline carcinoma) that was surgically resected with subsequent development of invasive adenocarcinoma allowed if no prior chemotherapy
• Optimal (no greater than 1 cm) or suboptimal residual disease after initial surgery

• Prior breast cancer allowed provided the following are true:

  • Disease-free for more than 5 years
  • No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for breast cancer

• Prior or concurrent primary endometrial cancer allowed if the following conditions are met:

  • Stage no greater than IB
  • Less than 3 mm invasion without vascular or lymphatic invasion
  • No poorly differentiated subtypes, including papillary serous, clear cell, or other FIGO grade 3 lesions

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• Any age

Performance status:

• GOG 0-2

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)
• AST no greater than 2.5 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN
• No acute hepatitis

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Cardiovascular:

• No unstable angina
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No evidence of abnormal cardiac conduction (e.g., bundle branch block, heart block) unless stable for the past 6 months

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No greater than grade 1 sensory or motor neuropathy
• No active infection that requires antibiotics
• No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
• No severe or ongoing gastrointestinal bleeding that requires blood product support

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics

• Prior chemotherapy for cancer involving the abdominal cavity or pelvis allowed provided the following are true:

  • More than 3 years since prior therapy
  • No evidence of recurrent disease

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis

• Prior radiotherapy for localized breast, head and neck, or skin cancer allowed provided the following are true:

  • More than 3 years since prior therapy
  • No evidence of recurrent disease

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No more than 12 weeks since prior surgical resection