OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the antitumor effects of SU5416 in patients with chemotherapy refractory cutaneous AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma. II. Determine the safety and tolerability of this regimen in these patients. III. Determine the pharmacokinetics of this regimen in these patients. IV. Determine the safety of this regimen on HIV replication and immune parameters in these patients. V. Determine the effects of this regimen on overall quality of life and tumor specific symptoms in these patients.