STI571 in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Soft Tissue Sarcoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed soft tissue sarcoma Malignant fibrous histiocytoma Liposarcoma Rhabdomyosarcoma Synovial sarcoma Malignant paraganglioma Fibrosarcoma Leiomyosarcoma Angiosarcoma Hemangiopericytoma Neurogenic sarcoma Unclassified sarcoma Miscellaneous sarcoma (including mixed mesodermal tumors of the uterus) Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) (must be c-kit positive) No malignant mesothelioma, chondrosarcoma, neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, or embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma Phase I study and nonGIST phase II study patients: Must have received one prior first line combination chemotherapy regimen or two first line single agent regimens Adjuvant chemotherapy not considered first line, unless disease progression within 6 months of treatment Phase II GIST patients: No more than one prior first line combination chemotherapy regimen or two first line single agent regimens Adjuvant chemotherapy not considered first line, unless disease progression within 6 months of treatment Measurable disease with evidence of progression in past 6 weeks Osseous lesions and pleural effusions not considered measurable No symptomatic or known CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 15 and over Performance status: WHO 0-1 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.8 mg/dL Albumin at least 25 g/L Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.4 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance greater than 65 mL/min Cardiovascular: No history of cardiovascular disease Other: No prior or concurrent second primary malignant tumors except adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or basal cell carcinoma No other severe illness (including psychosis) Not pregnant Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months following study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No other concurrent local or systemic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent systemic corticosteroid therapy Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to sole index lesion Concurrent radiotherapy to any lesion allowed if not the sole target lesion Surgery: Not specified Other: No prior embolization to sole index lesion No other concurrent investigational drug No concurrent warfarin