Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed soft tissue sarcoma

- Metastatic or locally advanced

- Failed at least 1 prior therapy

- Measurable disease outside prior irradiation field

- No CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- SWOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Not specified

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

Renal:

- Creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN

- Calcium less than ULN

- Potassium normal

Other:

- No other malignancy within the past 5 years except stage I or II cancer in complete
remission, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or basal cell or squamous cell skin
cancer

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Prior biologic response modifier therapy allowed

Chemotherapy:

- No more than 3 prior chemotherapy regimens for advanced, recurrent, or metastatic
disease

- No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- No concurrent hormonal therapy for malignancy

Radiotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

- No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

- At least 4 weeks since prior surgery and recovered

Other:

- No other concurrent cardiac glycosides