OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation study of the combination topotecan/paclitaxel/carboplatin. Patients are stratified according to prior chemotherapy and radiotherapy (yes vs no). Part I: Patients receive topotecan IV on days 1-3 and paclitaxel IV over 3 hours and carboplatin IV over 30-60 minutes, on day 1. Part II: Patients receive topotecan, paclitaxel, and carboplatin as in part I, plus filgrastim (G-CSF) on days 6-19. Treatment repeats every 3 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of topotecan/paclitaxel/carboplatin until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 6 patients experience dose limiting toxicity.