Temozolomide and Thalidomide in Treating Patients With Metastatic, Locally Advanced, or Unresectable Leiomyosarcoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed leiomyosarcoma * Metastatic, locally advanced, or unresectable * Ineligible for other high priority national or institutional study * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion documented on radiologic study * At least 2 cm by 2 cm * Not previously irradiated unless disease progression at the site is evident * No brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * SWOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * More than 2 months Hematopoietic: * WBC greater than 3,000/mm\^3 * Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count greater than 70,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic: * Bilirubin less than upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT or SGPT less than 1.5 times ULN\* * Alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times ULN\* NOTE: \* Less than 5 times ULN if documented liver disease Renal: * Creatinine less than 1.5 times normal OR * Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min * BUN less than 1.5 times normal Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use 2 forms of effective contraception for 4 weeks before, during, and for 4 weeks after study therapy * No acute infection requiring systemic antibiotics * No frequent vomiting or medical condition that would preclude intake of oral medication (e.g., partial bowel obstruction) * No other serious medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude study participation * No prior malignancy except curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy * No more than 3 prior systemic chemotherapy regimens for metastatic, locally advanced, or unresectable leiomyosarcoma * Prior dacarbazine allowed Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy * No prior radiotherapy to 50% or more of bone marrow * Concurrent radiotherapy for local control or palliative therapy for painful bony or soft tissue lesion allowed Surgery: * At least 4 weeks since prior surgery and recovered Other: * Recovered from all prior therapies * No other concurrent investigational drugs