OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified by residual disease (none or microscopic vs macroscopic no greater than 2 cm vs or macroscopic greater than 2 cm), study center, FIGO stage (IC-IV), performance status (0 vs 1 vs 2), tumor grade (well-defined vs moderately defined vs poorly defined/undifferentiated vs unknown), interval debulking intention (yes vs no vs randomized into OV06 trial), elevated CA125 prior to treatment (yes vs no), and primary peritoneal cancer (yes vs no). Patients may undergo interval debulking surgery within 4 weeks of the third course of chemotherapy, or following 6 courses of treatment. Patients undergoing interval debulking after 3 courses should resume chemotherapy within 3 weeks of surgery. Patients are randomized into one of two treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive paclitaxel IV over 3 hours, immediately followed by carboplatin IV over 1 hour. Arm II: Patients receive docetaxel IV over 1 hour, immediately followed by carboplatin IV over 1 hour. Courses are repeated every 21 days. Treatment continues for 6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with partial or complete response may receive 3 additional courses of carboplatin alone thereafter. Quality of life is assessed at baseline, prior to each treatment course, and then every 4 months for 2 years or until disease progression. Patients are followed every 2 months for 2 years, every 3 months for 1 year, every 4 months for 1 year, and then every 6 months thereafter.