Gemcitabine in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Cancer of the Uterus

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed recurrent or persistent uterine leiomyosarcoma that is refractory to curative therapy or standard treatments Failed local therapeutic measures and considered incurable Measurable disease Not eligible for a higher priority GOG protocol PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: GOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal SGOT no greater than 3 times normal Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Other: No significant infection At least 5 years since any other invasive malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 3 weeks since prior biologic therapy Chemotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered No prior gemcitabine No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen (single agent or combination therapy) Endocrine therapy: At least 3 weeks since prior endocrine therapy Radiotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: At least 3 weeks since prior surgery and recovered