The optimal role of paclitaxel in the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer has not been determined. Dose intense paclitaxel therapy is safe and often recommended as second-line treatment for platinum resistant ovarian cancer. Retreatment with a higher dose-intense schedule of paclitaxel is feasible and patients who had a prior dose of 135 mg/m2 or paclitaxel free interval of at least six months may respond. Sensitivity to initial doses and a prolonged paclitaxel-free interval are predictors of a successful reinduction. We report 10 patients who had paclitaxel as second-line treatment and were later retreated with paclitaxel. Three of these patients had a partial response (30%; 95% CI 6-66%). All but one patient had platinum resistant disease. Initial dose and the best response to initial paclitaxel were assessed in relation to reinduction response. Patients with at least a six-month paclitaxel-free interval and previously low dose paclitaxel (135 mg/m2), or a complete response with high dose paclitaxel (250 mg/m2) may respond to high dose paclitaxel retreatment. Prospective trials of paclitaxel retreatment are warranted.