Topotecan in Treating Patients With Advanced Ovarian Epithelial, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal serous cancer Stage IIIB, IIIC, or IV Surgically staged and debulked Complete clinical response after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin) defined by all of the following criteria: No evidence of cancer by history or physical examination CA 125 no greater than 35 units/mL No evidence of residual cancer on CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis and chest x-ray Must have received at least 5 courses of first-line chemotherapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Granulocyte count at least 1,200/mm^3 Platelet count at least 90,000/mm^3 Hepatic Bilirubin normal ALT and AST less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase less than 1.5 ULN Renal Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy See Disease Characteristics At least 3 weeks since prior first-line chemotherapy At least 3 years since other prior chemotherapy (other than first-line chemotherapy for ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer) No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy No concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy No prior abdominopelvic radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery See Disease Characteristics No concurrent surgery Other No other concurrent antitumor therapy