DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed Mullerian carcinoma (ovarian epithelial or peritoneal carcinoma) (closed to accrual as of 8/23/01) OR Gastrointestinal cancer with abdominal carcinomatosis OR Peritoneal mesothelioma (closed to accrual as of 8/23/01) Must have received an adequate course of any platinum-based chemotherapy regimen for ovarian cancer with evidence of intraabdominal disease Must have received an adequate course of fluorouracil-based treatment for metastatic colon cancer Intact primary gastrointestinal tumor allowed if not at risk of obstruction and/or bleeding Abdominal lesions must be less than 10 cm Extraperitoneal lesions must be less than 2 cm No hepatic disease No clinically significant pleural effusion (controlled by pleurodesis allowed) No brain metastases No significant adhesions or symptoms of obstruction