PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for recurrent or metastatic endometrial cancer At least 1 year since prior adjuvant chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No prior antiestrogen therapy for any stage of endometrial cancer At least 12 months from time of diagnosis since prior raloxifene Prior progesterone treatment allowed Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: See Disease Characteristics