DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal serous cancer that is resistant to platinum therapy

• Platinum resistance as defined by one of the following:

  • Relapse within 6 months of platinum based chemotherapy
  • Residual disease after completion of platinum based chemotherapy
  • Disease progression while receiving platinum based chemotherapy
  • Marker only relapse (CA-125 elevation) and measurable disease
• Bidimensionally measurable disease on exam or CT scan

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Sex:

• Female

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Greater than 2 months

Hematopoietic:

• WBC at least 3,000/mm3
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

Hepatic:

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

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

• Acceptable cardiac exam
• No active cardiac ischemia

Pulmonary:

• Acceptable pulmonary exam
• No active pulmonary infection or compromise

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• No severe peripheral neuropathy (grade 2 or greater)
• No other significant psychiatric or medical conditions that would interfere with compliance

• No other malignancies within the past 3 years, except:

  • Limited basal or squamous cell skin cancer
  • Carcinoma in situ of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• No prior cytokine therapy

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for ovarian epithelial or peritoneal serous cancer
• Prior paclitaxel allowed
• No prior docetaxel
• At least 3 years since prior chemotherapy for other disease

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• No prior pelvic radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Not specified