DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven stage III or IV ovarian epithelial, tubal, or peritoneal adenocarcinoma Must have had complete clinical response to primary therapy consisting of surgical debulking and platinum based chemotherapy Elevated CA 125 (greater than 35 U/mL) prior to or at surgery (if presurgical CA 125 measurement is not available, patient must have a serum CA 125 of at least 100 U/mL and strong tumor tissue expression) Must have residual disease (visible or palpable) at completion of the staging laparotomy (IIIB and IIIC microscopic disease)