Nitrocamptothecin in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Ovarian Epithelial or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed recurrent or metastatic ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal cancer * Measurable disease * Ascites and pleural effusions are not considered measurable * Sonography allowed if bidimensionally measurable * Must not be eligible for higher priority GOG protocol PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Not specified Performance status: * GOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Other: * No other prior or concurrent invasive malignancy in the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer * No active infection PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * At least but no more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens containing carboplatin, cisplatin, or another organoplatinum compound combined with paclitaxel * Second line therapy may include any agents except topoisomerase I inhibitors (i.e., topotecan) * No prior nitrocamptothecin or topoisomerase I inhibitors * At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: * At least 3 weeks since prior surgery and recovered Other: * No prior cancer therapy that contraindicates this study