Capecitabine in Treating Patients With Advanced, Persistent, or Recurrent Cervical Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed advanced, persistent, or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix Documented disease progression after local therapy and considered incurable At least 1 target lesion measurable in at least 1 dimension At least 20 mm by conventional techniques, including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, or MRI OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan Target lesion cannot be in a previously irradiated field PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Any age Performance status: GOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Other: Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No active infection requiring antibiotics No other invasive malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer No neuropathy (sensory and motor) greater than grade I PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 3 weeks since prior biologic therapy or immunotherapy for the malignant tumor No concurrent prophylactic filgrastim (G-CSF) Chemotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy for the malignant tumor and recovered No prior cytotoxic therapy (except when used as a radiosensitizer) No prior chemotherapy for other malignancy Endocrine therapy: At least 1 week since prior hormonal therapy for the malignant tumor Concurrent hormone replacement therapy allowed Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for the malignant tumor and recovered No prior radiotherapy for other malignancy Surgery: Recovered from prior surgery Other: At least 3 weeks since any other prior therapy for the malignant tumor No prior anticancer therapy that contraindicates study therapy No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents