DX-8951f in Treating Women Who Have Advanced or Recurrent Cancer of the Cervix

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix not curable by surgery or radiotherapy Measurable disease No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL SGOT or SGPT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No active congestive heart failure No uncontrolled angina No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No concurrent serious infection No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer No other life threatening illness No psychosis, mental disability, or incompetence PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen (except chemotherapy for radiosensitization) No prior camptothecin No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior surgery No concurrent surgery Other: At least 4 weeks since other prior investigational drugs (including analgesics or antiemetics) No other concurrent investigational drugs during or within 28 days after final dose of study drug No concurrent drugs that induce or inhibit CYP3A enzyme