DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed extragonadal and gonadal germ cell tumor Seminoma and nonseminoma eligible Recurrent or refractory disease despite adequate first-line cisplatin- or carboplatin-based chemotherapy and not amenable to surgery and/or curative radiotherapy Relapse after disease-free interval of 1 or more years ineligible Measurable or evaluable disease with documented progression within 2 months prior to entry Elevated beta human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein considered evaluable if no other evaluable lesion and provided marker(s): Increased since end of last treatment At least 10 times upper limit of normal unless due to tumor lysis Rising on 3 successive occasions at least 2-3 days apart If no tumor markers available, cytology or histology should be obtained No inadequately treated CNS metastases No pleural or pericardial effusion and/or ascites