Erlotinib and Carboplatin in Recurrent Ovarian, Fallopian Tube, or Primary Peritoneal Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed recurrent ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer for which no standard curative therapy exists At least 1 measurable lesion At least 20 mm by x-ray, non-spiral CT scan, or physical exam OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan Ascites and bone metastases not considered measurable disease No abdominal adenocarcinoma of unknown origin or borderline ovarian tumor No elevated CA 125 as only evidence of disease At least 1 but no more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens required First regimen must have contained cisplatin or carboplatin Switching platinum compounds due to disease progression or failure to respond is considered 2 regimens Same regimen as first- and second-line therapy is considered 2 regimens Responded to prior platinum-based first-line chemotherapy No platinum-refractory disease No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than ULN Cardiovascular: No symptomatic congestive heart failure No unstable angina No cardiac arrhythmia Gastrointestinal: See Surgery No GI tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or requiring IV alimentation No uncontrolled inflammatory GI disease (e.g., Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) No active peptic ulcer disease Ophthalmic: No ocular inflammation or infection No significant ophthalmologic abnormalities, including: History of dry eye syndrome, Sjögren's syndrome, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca Severe exposure keratopathy Disorders that might increase the risk for epithelium-related complications (e.g., bullous keratopathy, aniridia, severe chemical burns, or neutrophilic keratitis) Congenital abnormality (e.g., Fuch's dystrophy) Abnormal slit-lamp examination using a vital dye (e.g., fluorescein or Bengal-Rose) Abnormal corneal sensitivity test (e.g., Schirmer test or similar tear production test) Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No prior allergic reaction to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to erlotinib No other serious illness, medical condition, or significant neurologic or psychiatric disorder that would preclude study therapy No active uncontrolled infection No grade 3 or greater drug-related neurotoxicity No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for mitomycin or nitrosoureas) Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy (except low-dose palliative radiotherapy) and recovered Surgery: At least 3 weeks since prior major surgery (wound healing must have occurred) No prior surgical procedures affecting gastrointestinal (GI) absorption No concurrent ophthalmic surgery Other: No prior therapy targeting epidermal growth factor receptor No other concurrent anticancer therapy No other concurrent investigational agents Concurrent oral anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin) allowed provided INR is monitored