Isotretinoin, Interferon Alpha-2b, and Paclitaxel in Stage IV, Recurrent, or Persistent Cervical Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically and/or cytologically confirmed cervical cancer, meeting 1 of the following criteria: * Stage IVB disease * Recurrent disease * Persistent disease * Patients previously treated with chemoradiotherapy as initial therapy must demonstrate disease progression * Measurable disease by physical exam or radiographic studies * Not amenable to chemoradiotherapy or surgery PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * Over 18 Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * At least 6 months Hematopoietic * WBC ≥ 3,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * SGOT and SGPT ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL Renal * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL OR * Creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No known HIV positivity * No active infection * No medical condition that would preclude study compliance PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * No prior interferon * No other concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 months since prior chemoradiotherapy (6 weeks for patients experiencing disease progression after completion of initial chemoradiotherapy) * No other prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * No concurrent hormonal therapy for cancer Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * See Chemotherapy * Recovered from prior radiotherapy * No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery * Recovered from prior surgery * No concurrent surgery for cancer Other * No prior retinoids * No other concurrent anticancer therapy * No other concurrent experimental agents