DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven liposarcoma that is incurable by standard surgery Measurable or evaluable disease required No active CNS involvement or leptomeningeal disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL SGOT less than 5 times upper normal limit Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No poorly controlled atrial arrhythmias, angina pectoris, or myocardial infarction within past 6 months No symptomatic congestive heart failure, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass graft within past 3 months Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No known active retroviral disease

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Recovered from toxic effects of all prior therapy No concurrent cytotoxic therapy Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Prior chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy: No concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: Prior radiation therapy for metastatic disease allowed No radiotherapy to sole site of measurable disease within past 6 months Surgery: Not specified