OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate response rate to arzoxifene hydrochloride in patients with metastatic refractory ovarian epithelial cancer or primary peritoneal cancer. II. Determine the time to progressive disease, time to treatment failure, response duration, and survival of these patients. III. Assess the safety of this treatment in these patients. IV. Measure changes in serum estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and sex hormone binding globulin during this treatment in these patients.