OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the combination of 41.8 degrees Celsius whole body hyperthermia (WBH) and ifosfamide/carboplatin/etoposide (ICE) chemotherapy in patients with advanced sarcoma. II. Assess the efficacy of this combination of therapy. III. Assess the clinical toxicity of WBH and ICE in these patients. IV. Obtain pilot data on the effect of WBH and ICE on cytokine induction in these patients.