DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Biopsy proven non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS) Evaluable residual tumor after initial biopsy or excision required Registration required within 42 days of definitive diagnosis Grade II/III, unresectable or metastatic disease The following histologies exclude: Angiofibroma of the nasopharynx Mesothelioma Desmoid tumor Peripheral neuroepithelioma Desmoplastic small cell tumor Rhabdomyosarcoma Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma Undifferentiated sarcoma Kaposi's sarcoma Grade 1 NRSTS, including: Angiomatoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans Myxoid and well-differentiated liposarcoma Well-differentiated and infantile hemangiopericytoma Well-differentiated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor