DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial, peritoneal, or tubal cancer Epithelial cell types Serous adenocarcinoma Endometrioid adenocarcinoma Mucinous adenocarcinoma Undifferentiated carcinoma Clear cell adenocarcinoma Mixed epithelial carcinoma Transitional cell Malignant Brenner's tumor Adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified Measurable or evaluable disease No brain or leptomeningeal metastases No symptomatic bowel involvement of ovarian cancer Not eligible for higher priority GOG phase II or III study