Erlotinib and Carboplatin in Recurrent Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed recurrent ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer for which no standard curative therapy exists * At least 1 measurable lesion * At least 20 mm by x-ray, non-spiral CT scan, or physical exam OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Ascites and bone metastases not considered measurable disease * No abdominal adenocarcinoma of unknown origin or borderline ovarian tumor * No elevated CA 125 as only evidence of disease * At least 1 but no more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens required * First regimen must have contained cisplatin or carboplatin * Switching platinum compounds due to disease progression or failure to respond is considered 2 regimens * Same regimen as first- and second-line therapy is considered 2 regimens * Responded to prior platinum-based first-line chemotherapy * No platinum-refractory disease * No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: * Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine no greater than ULN Cardiovascular: * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina * No cardiac arrhythmia Gastrointestinal: * See Surgery * No GI tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or requiring IV alimentation * No uncontrolled inflammatory GI disease (e.g., Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) * No active peptic ulcer disease Ophthalmic: * No ocular inflammation or infection * No significant ophthalmologic abnormalities, including: * History of dry eye syndrome, Sjögren's syndrome, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca * Severe exposure keratopathy * Disorders that might increase the risk for epithelium-related complications (e.g., bullous keratopathy, aniridia, severe chemical burns, or neutrophilic keratitis) * Congenital abnormality (e.g., Fuch's dystrophy) * Abnormal slit-lamp examination using a vital dye (e.g., fluorescein or Bengal-Rose) * Abnormal corneal sensitivity test (e.g., Schirmer test or similar tear production test) Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No prior allergic reaction to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to erlotinib * No other serious illness, medical condition, or significant neurologic or psychiatric disorder that would preclude study therapy * No active uncontrolled infection * No grade 3 or greater drug-related neurotoxicity * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosoureas) Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy (except low-dose palliative radiotherapy) and recovered Surgery: * At least 3 weeks since prior major surgery (wound healing must have occurred) * No prior surgical procedures affecting gastrointestinal (GI) absorption * No concurrent ophthalmic surgery Other: * No prior therapy targeting epidermal growth factor receptor * No other concurrent anticancer therapy * No other concurrent investigational agents * Concurrent oral anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) allowed provided INR is monitored