OBJECTIVES: I. Compare pathological response, recurrence-free interval, and survival in patients with optimal stage III epithelial ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal carcinoma receiving intravenous (IV) paclitaxel and cisplatin vs IV paclitaxel and intraperitoneal (IP) cisplatin plus IP paclitaxel. II. Compare the toxic effects and complications of these 2 treatment regimens in these patients. III. Determine the frequency and prognostic significance of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in these patients. IV. Determine the effect of non-genetic risk factors on the course of disease in BRCA1- and BRCA2-related ovarian cancer or primary peritoneal carcinoma. V. Compare the quality of life of these patients receiving these treatments.