Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed Ewing's tumor

- Ewing's sarcoma or peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor of bone or soft
tissue

- High-risk disease (R3), defined as metastases at extrapulmonary/pleural sites

- Newly diagnosed disease

- Measurable primary and/or metastatic disease

- At least one bidimensionally measurable lesion

- Concurrent enrollment on EURO-Ewing99 clinical trial required

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- No abnormal cardiac function, including any of the following:

- Fractional shortening < 29%

- Ejection fraction < 40%

- Glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60mL/min

- Not pregnant

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after
completion of study treatment

- No prior or current history of chronic diarrhea, bowel obstruction, sub obstruction,
Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis

- No other medical, psychiatric, or social condition incompatible with the study
treatment

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- No prior chemotherapy

- No more than 45 days since prior definitive biopsy