Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically, cytologically, or clinically confirmed
unresectable, stage IV, or recurrent soft tissue sarcoma No Ewing's sarcoma, Kaposi's
sarcoma, bone sarcomas, mesotheliomas, or primitive neuroectodermal tumors Bidimensionally
measurable disease by x-ray, CT scan or MRI, or physical examination No CNS metastases No
more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for advanced, recurrent, or metastatic disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy:
Greater than 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin
greater than 10.0 g/dL WBC at least 3,500/mm3 OR Absolute neutrophil count at least
1,500/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
SGOT/SGPT no greater than 1.5 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times ULN Renal:
Calcium less than ULN Creatinine or BUN less than 1.5 times ULN OR Creatinine clearance
greater than 60 mL/min Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile
patients must use effective contraception No other malignancy within the past 5 years
except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of
the cervix, or fully excised and/or treated stage I cancer currently in complete remission
No nonmalignant systemic disease rendering patient a poor medical risk No acute infection
requiring IV antibiotics HIV negative No AIDS-related illness No frequent vomiting or
medical condition that could interfere with oral medication intake (e.g., partial bowel
obstruction)

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Prior biologic response modifier treatment
allowed At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior biologic
therapy No concurrent epoetin alfa Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Prior
dacarbazine allowed At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No other concurrent
chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent hormonal therapy for malignancy
Radiotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered No prior
radiotherapy to areas of measurable disease unless there is clear progression or there is
measurable disease outside the area of prior radiation No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery:
At least 4 weeks since prior surgery and recovered Other: No other concurrent
investigational drugs