DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed primary ovarian epithelial cancer or primary peritoneal cancer Suboptimal residual disease within 6 weeks of laparotomy with maximum resection Stage III residual retroperitoneal disease greater than 1 cm and no greater than 1 cm residual intraperitoneal disease OR Stage IV disease The following histologies are eligible: Serous adenocarcinoma Malignant Brenner's tumor Mucinous adenocarcinoma Endometrioid adenocarcinoma Undifferentiated carcinoma Clear cell adenocarcinoma Mixed epithelial carcinoma Transitional cell carcinoma Adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified Measurable disease not required Cytologic confirmation of malignant pleural effusion required if sole basis of entry No borderline (low malignant potential) carcinoma No unclassified ovarian cancer, i.e., thought to be of ovarian origin but unexplored or unable to verify tumor arising from ovarian stroma