OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to center and extracranial disease (yes or no). Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive fractionated external beam whole brain irradiation (WBRT) 5 days each week for 3 weeks. Both portals are treated during each radiotherapy session. Patients who still have a solitary lesion with a diameter no greater than 4.0 cm also receive stereotactic radiosurgery within 7 days of completing WBRT. Arm II: Patients receive WBRT only. Patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year, then every 4 months for 2 years, and then annually.