DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed recurrent ovarian epithelial cancer

• Platinum resistant disease defined as:

  • Progression during the most recent platinum-based chemotherapy OR
  • Relapse less than 6 months after platinum-based chemotherapy

• Measurable or evaluable disease

  • Elevated CA-125 only allowed
  • Positive cytology only not eligible

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• SWOG 0-2

Hematopoietic:

• Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin less than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST less than 3 times ULN

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 2 mg/dL

Neurologic:

• No peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 2

Other:

• No other serious medical illness or psychiatric conditions.

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• No concurrent hematopoietic growth factors

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior gemcitabine
• No prior paclitaxel administered weekly

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• Not specified

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• Recovered from acute toxic effects secondary to prior therapy