Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Endometrial Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer, or Sarcoma of the Female Reproductive Tract

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed recurrent or refractory carcinoma of the endometrium or fallopian tubes or sarcomas of gynecologic origin including mixed mesodermal sarcomas Documented recurrence or persistence of disease after appropriate surgical and/or radiation therapy Measurable or evaluable disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 Granulocyte count at least 1,000/mm3 Hepatic: SGOT and SGPT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Bilirubin no greater than 3 times ULN Renal: Creatinine less than 2.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: MUGA at least lower limit of normal Normal ejection fraction and/or stable cardiac status Other: No medical or social factors that would interfere with compliance Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No serious concurrent illness requiring immediate therapy PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least 6 months since prior combined modality or adjuvant chemotherapy Prior doxorubicin allowed if cumulative dose is recorded Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: At least 30 days since prior noncytotoxic experimental antiemetic or antifungal investigational drugs