Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Refractory or Resistant Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial carcinoma * Platinum-refractory or resistant disease * At least 1 prior non-platinum chemotherapy agent required * Prior bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and hysterectomy required * Bidimensionally measurable disease OR CA-125 greater than 100 units/mm3 PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Over 18 Performance status: * Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: * More than 3 months Hematopoietic: * Not specified Hepatic: * Bilirubin normal * AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN OR * Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Other: * No other prior malignancy except non-melanoma skin cancer unless curatively treated with no evidence of disease within the past 5 years and at low risk for recurrence * No other clinical circumstances that would preclude study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy and recovered * No prior thalidomide Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior cytotoxic therapy and recovered Endocrine therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior hormonal therapy and recovered Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery