PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens (including repeated drug combinations) for patients with potentially platinum-sensitive disease No more than 3 prior chemotherapy regimens (including repeated drug combinations) for patients with platinum resistant disease At least 6 weeks since mitomycin or nitrosoureas At least 3 weeks since other prior chemotherapy Recovered from prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 3 weeks since hormone replacement therapy No prior hormonal therapy for ovarian cancer Radiotherapy: At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: Not specified