OBJECTIVES: I. Compare progression-free and overall survival of patients with drug-sensitive, low-volume ovarian cancer that is persistent following standard therapy treated with salvage therapy comprising standard-dose paclitaxel and carboplatin vs high-dose carboplatin, mitoxantrone, and cyclophosphamide followed by bone marrow reconstitution. II. Compare the toxic effects of these two salvage regimens. III. Compare selected health-related aspects of quality of life in these patients.