DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed recurrent or persistent ovarian epithelial cancer or primary peritoneal cancer after second-line therapy

  • Received 1 prior platinum-based first-line chemotherapy regimen and 1 prior second-line (non-platinum, non-taxane) chemotherapy regimen

• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

  • At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  • At least 1 target lesion that has not previously been irradiated
• Ineligible for a higher priority GOG protocol (if one exists)
• Ineligible for the currently active phase II cytotoxic protocol for platinum-resistant disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 and over

Performance status

• GOG 0-2

Life expectancy

• Not specified

Hematopoietic

• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
• No active bleeding

Hepatic

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN
• PT or PTT less than ULN

Renal

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Cardiovascular

• No uncontrolled hypertension
• No uncompensated congestive heart failure
• No symptomatic coronary artery disease
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months

Other

• No sensory or motor neuropathy greater than grade 1
• No active infection requiring antibiotics
• No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• At least 3 weeks since prior biological therapy or immunotherapy directed at the malignancy

Chemotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior polyglutamate paclitaxel (CT-2103)
• Recovered from prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

• At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy directed at the malignancy
• Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed

Radiotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from prior radiotherapy
• No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of bone marrow

Surgery

• Recovered from prior surgery

Other

• At least 3 weeks since other prior therapy directed at the malignancy
• No prior therapy for another malignancy that would preclude this study
• No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents