DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Biopsy-proven soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of the extremity Review by Pathology Department of the University of Southern California CT or MRI required prior to biopsy Disease in one of the following categories: High-grade tumor Low-grade tumor at high risk for local recurrence, i.e.: Adjacent to bone or vital neurovascular structures and able to be removed with a minimal surgical margin (i.e., plane of dissection goes through reactive zone of tumor) Lesion more than 5 cm in diameter The following tumors exclude: Primary sarcoma of the bone Metastatic carcinoma STS of the head and neck Visceral STS, e.g., breast, uterus, spermatic cord, mediastinum chest wall STS of the pelvis or retroperitoneum