Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed soft tissue sarcoma Malignant fibrous
histiocytoma Liposarcoma Rhabdomyosarcoma Synovial sarcoma Malignant paraganglioma
Fibrosarcoma Leiomyosarcoma Angiosarcoma Hemangiopericytoma Neurogenic sarcoma
Unclassified sarcoma Miscellaneous sarcoma (including mixed mesodermal tumors of the
uterus) Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) (must be c-kit positive) No malignant
mesothelioma, chondrosarcoma, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, or embryonal
rhabdomyosarcoma Phase I study and nonGIST phase II study patients: Must have received one
prior first line combination chemotherapy regimen or two first line single agent regimens
Adjuvant chemotherapy not considered first line, unless disease progression within 6
months of treatment Phase II GIST patients: No more than one prior first line combination
chemotherapy regimen or two first line single agent regimens Adjuvant chemotherapy not
considered first line, unless disease progression within 6 months of treatment Measurable
disease with evidence of progression in past 6 weeks Osseous lesions and pleural effusions
not considered measurable No symptomatic or known CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 15 and over Performance status: WHO 0-1 Life expectancy: Not
specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at
least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.8 mg/dL Albumin at least 25 g/L
Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.4 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance greater than 65 mL/min
Cardiovascular: No history of cardiovascular disease Other: No prior or concurrent second
primary malignant tumors except adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or
basal cell carcinoma No other severe illness (including psychosis) Not pregnant Fertile
patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months following study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease
Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No other concurrent local or
systemic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent systemic corticosteroid therapy
Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to sole index lesion Concurrent radiotherapy to any
lesion allowed if not the sole target lesion Surgery: Not specified Other: No prior
embolization to sole index lesion No other concurrent investigational drug No concurrent
warfarin