Carboxyamidotriazole in Treating Patients With Refractory or Recurrent Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed refractory or recurrent ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer Measurable disease by physical exam, radiography, peritoneoscopy, or laparoscopy No more than 4 weeks since prior peritoneoscopy No brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 4 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL AND/OR Hematocrit at least 27% Hepatic: SGOT/SGPT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Cardiovascular: No history of symptomatic cardiac dysrhythmias requiring medication At least 6 months since prior myocardial infarction No unstable or newly diagnosed angina Pulmonary: No obstructive lung disease requiring oxygen therapy Other: Not pregnant or nursing HIV negative Must be able to take oral medication No concurrent medical condition (e.g., impending bowel obstruction) No grade 2 or greater residual peripheral neuropathy No active infection No other prior or concurrent invasive malignancy within the past 5 years No history of acute visual loss other than that associated with retinal detachment PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior cytokine therapy No concurrent cytokine therapy to maintain WBC count Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas, carboplatin, or mitomycin) No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior hormonal therapy No concurrent corticosteroids at doses greater than physiological replacement doses No concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: No more than 3 prior treatment regimens At least 1 week since prior systemic antibiotics for infection No chronic antifungal treatment with antimycotic imidazoles No concurrent alternative therapies