Chemotherapy, SU5416, Radiation Therapy, and Surgery in Treating Patients With Soft Tissue Sarcoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed stage IIC-III primary or locally recurrent soft tissue sarcoma * Grade 2 or 3 on grade 1-3 scale OR * Grade 3 or 4 on grade 3-4 scale * Tumor size at least 8 cm in diameter * Tumor located on upper extremities (including shoulder), lower extremities (including hip), or on body wall * No rhabdomyosarcoma, extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumors, osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma or angiosarcoma of the scalp or face, or any sarcoma of the head and neck * No evidence of lung metastases * Maximum of 4 chest lesion no greater than 3 mm in diameter each on preoperative chest CT scans * Lesions no greater than 1 cm in diameter allowed if stable for at least 1 year and fit criteria for granulomas PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy: * At least 2 years Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 4,000/mm\^3 OR * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,800/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 150,000/mm\^3 * No prior bleeding or clotting diathesis Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * AST and ALT no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal * PT and PTT less than 1.25 times normal (not on coumadin) Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR * Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: * LVEF greater than 50% * History of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) requiring bypass surgery allowed provided surgery occurred at least 1 year prior to study entry * No uncompensated CAD on electrocardiogram or physical examination * No myocardial infarction or severe or unstable angina within the past 6 months * No New York Heart Association class II-IV heart disease * No congestive heart failure * No severe peripheral vascular disease * No peripheral vascular disease with diabetes mellitus * No deep venous or arterial thrombosis (including pulmonary embolism) within the past 3 months Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Fibrin split products less than 2 times normal * Fibrinogen greater than 200 mg/dL * No active uncontrolled bacterial, viral, or fungal infection * No known hypersensitivity to E. coli-derived proteins * No contraindications to limb-salvage surgery * No other prior or concurrent malignancy within the past 5 years except surgically treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or squamous or basal cell skin cancer * No other serious medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * No prior biologic therapy Chemotherapy: * No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * No prior radiotherapy Surgery: * More than 2 weeks since minor surgery * More than 4 weeks since major surgery