DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma or other malignant mesenchymal tumors

  • Standard risk defined as:

    • Less than 10 years of age
    • No bone or bone marrow involvement

  • High risk defined as:

    • At least 10 years of age OR
    • Bone or bone marrow involvement
• Diagnosed less than 8 weeks ago
• Previously untreated disease except for initial surgery within the past 8 weeks

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 6 months to under 18 years

Performance status:

• Not specified

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Not specified

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• No prior biologic therapy

Chemotherapy:

• No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• No prior endocrine therapy

Radiotherapy:

• Concurrent radiotherapy allowed

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics