Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, or sarcoma with 1-3 newly
diagnosed intraparenchymal brain metastases based on contrast-enhanced MRI (CT scan
acceptable if patients have a medical contraindication to MRI)

- No lesion greater than 4.0 cm in diameter and, if multiple lesions are present, no
more than one greater than 3.0 cm in diameter

- No limitation on the extent of extracranial metastatic disease

- No metastases in the brain stem, midbrain, pons, or medulla

- No leptomeningeal metastases documented by MRI or CSF evaluation

- No metastases within 10 mm of optic nerve or chiasm

- No history of multiple liver metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

- At least 3 months

Hematopoietic:

- Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm^3

- Platelet count greater than 50,000/mm^3

- Hemoglobin greater than 8 g/dL

Hepatic:

- Not specified

Renal:

- Not specified

Other:

- No major medical illness

- No psychoses

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Not specified

Chemotherapy:

- Prior chemotherapy allowed

- Systemic chemotherapy may be continued at the discretion of investigator after
completion of radiosurgery

Endocrine therapy:

- Not specified

Radiotherapy:

- No prior cranial radiotherapy

- Prior or concurrent radiotherapy to noncranial sites allowed

Surgery:

- No prior surgical resection for brain metastases

- Prior stereotactic biopsy for diagnostic purposes allowed