DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven recurrent or persistent ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal carcinoma of the following cell types: Serous adenocarcinoma Mucinous adenocarcinoma Clear cell adenocarcinoma Transitional cell Endometrioid adenocarcinoma Undifferentiated carcinoma Mixed epithelial carcinoma Malignant Brenner tumor Adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified Must not be eligible for any other higher priority phase II or phase III GOG protocol