Karenitecin in Treating Patients With Persistent or Recurrent Ovarian Epithelial Cancer or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial or primary peritoneal cancer * Recurrent or persistent disease * Platinum-resistant disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * At least 1 target lesion to assess response (tumors within a previously irradiated field are designated as non-target) * Ineligible for a higher priority GOG study or other phase II cytotoxic study for platinum-resistant disease * Performance status - GOG 0-2 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * No cerebrovascular accident within the past 6 months * No transient ischemic attack within the past 6 months * No uncontrolled hypertension * No decompensated or uncontrolled chronic heart failure * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No neuropathy (sensory or motor) grade 2 or greater * No other invasive malignancies within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer * No active infection requiring antibiotics * At least 3 weeks since prior biological or immunological agents * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered * No more than 2 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens, with no more than 1 non-platinum, non-taxane regimen * No prior karenitecin or camptothecin analogue/derivative * At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy * Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of marrow-bearing areas * Recovered from recent surgery * At least 3 weeks since prior therapy directed at this malignancy * No prior anticancer therapy that would preclude study therapy * No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents