Perifosine in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Locally Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed metastatic or locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma that is incurable by standard therapies, including any of the following types: * Uterine sarcomas * Mixed mesodermal * Leiomyosarcoma * Endometrial stromal sarcoma * Alveolar soft part sarcoma * Angiosarcoma/lymphangiosarcoma * Fibrosarcoma * Hemangiopericytoma * Leiomyosarcoma * Liposarcoma * Malignant fibrous histiocytoma * Neurogenic sarcoma * Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma * Synovial sarcoma * Unclassifiable sarcoma * Undifferentiated sarcoma * Excluded diseases include the following: * Bone sarcomas (e.g., osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, chondrosarcoma) * Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma * Carcinosarcoma * Kaposi's sarcoma * Malignant mesothelioma * Neuroblastoma * Gastrointestinal stromal tumor * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable site of disease (outside the previously irradiated area) defined as: * At least 20 mm by x-ray or physical exam * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * At least 20 mm by non-spiral CT scan NOTE: Bone lesions are not considered measurable NOTE: Patients whose sole site of disease is within a previously irradiated area are allowed if there is evidence of progression or new lesions in the irradiated field * No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic * Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine no greater than ULN Cardiovascular * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No prior allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to perifosine * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No active or ongoing infection * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would limit compliance with study requirements * No other concurrent uncontrolled illness PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * No prior systemic chemotherapy for metastatic or locally advanced disease * At least 6 months since prior adjuvant chemotherapy * No other concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy (except low-dose, non-myelosuppressive radiotherapy) * No concurrent radiotherapy to the sole site of measurable disease or for progressively symptomatic disease Surgery * At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery Other * No other concurrent anticancer therapy or investigational agents