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

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as topotecan, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Chemotherapy drugs may have different effects in patients who have a poor performance status. PURPOSE: This phase I trial is studying the side effects and best dose of topotecan in treating patients with progressive or recurrent ovarian epithelial, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cavity cancer with a poor performance status.