Paclitaxel, Topotecan, and Cisplatin in Treating Patients With Advanced, Persistent, or Recurrent Cervical Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Advanced, persistent, or recurrent squamous or nonsquamous cell carcinoma of the cervix with documented disease progression Histologic confirmation of the original primary tumor is required Disease must be measurable in at least one dimension by conventional techniques, including palpation, plain x-ray, CT scan, or MRI Measurable disease is defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately measured Each lesion must be ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques or ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan Tumors within a previously irradiated field will be designated as "non-target" lesions unless progression is documented or a biopsy is obtained to confirm persistence ≥ 90 days after completion of radiation therapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: GOG performance status 0-2 Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3 Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN SGOT and alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN Neuropathy (sensory and motor) ≤ grade 1 No active infection requiring antibiotics No evidence of more than one malignancy present within the past 5 years Nonmelanoma skin cancer allowed Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: No prior therapy with cytotoxic drugs for advanced or recurrent cervical carcinoma Prior cisplatin as a radiosensitizer for primary treatment of disease allowed No previous cancer treatment that contraindicates study treatment No prior radiotherapy to any portion of the abdominal cavity or pelvis except for the treatment of cervical cancer No prior chemotherapy for any abdominal or pelvic tumor except for the treatment of cervical cancer Recovered from effects of recent surgery, radiotherapy, or other therapy At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy More than 3 years since prior radiotherapy for localized cancer of the breast, head and neck, or skin and free of recurrent or metastatic disease More than 3 years since prior adjuvant chemotherapy for localized breast cancer provided patient is free of recurrent or metastatic disease No hormonal therapy directed at the malignant tumor within the past week Concurrent hormone replacement therapy is permitted No concurrent amifostine or other protective reagents