DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven ovarian epithelial cancer or primary peritoneal carcinoma No tumors of low malignant potential Chemotherapy sensitive disease Relapse greater than 6 months after complete response to chemotherapy Partial response to most recent chemotherapy No more than 3 prior chemotherapy regimens Evidence of refractory or recurrent disease other than elevated CA-125 after primary surgery or chemotherapy; persistent disease need not be still present No brain metastases