OBJECTIVES: I. Estimate the antitumor activity of aminopterin in patients with persistent, recurrent, or refractory endometrial carcinoma who have failed prior first line cytotoxic chemotherapy. II. Determine the quantitative and qualitative toxic effects of aminopterin in this patient population. III. Determine the overall patient survival and time to progression of these patients. IV. Assess the pharmacokinetic profile of these patients.