Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven soft tissue sarcoma, including the
following cell types: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma Liposarcoma Rhabdomyosarcoma Synovial
sarcoma Malignant paraganglioma Fibrosarcoma Leiomyosarcoma Angiosarcoma including
hemangiopericytoma Neurogenic sarcoma Unclassified sarcoma Miscellaneous sarcoma including
mixed mesodermal tumors of the uterus Cell types NOT allowed: Malignant mesothelioma
Chondrosarcoma Neuroblastoma Osteosarcoma Ewing's sarcoma Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
Measurable lesion with evidence of progression within 6 weeks prior to study (osseous
lesions, hepatomegaly, lymphedema, ascites, and pleural lesions are not considered
measurable) No symptomatic or known CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: WHO 0-1 Life expectancy: Not
specified Hematopoietic: Neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count at least
100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.75 mg/dL Albumin at least 2.5 g/dL AST
and ALT less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (2.5 times ULN if liver metastasis
present) Alkaline phosphatase less than 2.5 times ULN No other significant hepatic disease
(e.g., active hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc.) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.36 mg/dL OR
Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: No prior cardiovascular disease
Other: No other severe medical illness No psychosis No prior or concurrent second primary
malignant tumors, except adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or basal cell
carcinoma Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks
since prior chemotherapy No more than 1 prior regimen of combination chemotherapy OR No
more than 2 prior single agent regimens No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine
therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to sole index lesion No
concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concurrent investigational
drugs