S0330 Erlotinib in Treating Patients With Unresectable or Metastatic Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor * Malignant schwannoma or neurofibrosarcoma * Clinical evidence of unresectable or metastatic disease * Measurable disease * No known current CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT or SGPT less than 1.5 times ULN (5 times ULN for patients with documented liver metastases) Renal * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN * Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min Ophthalmic * No known history of any of the following corneal diseases: * Dry eye syndrome * Sjögren's syndrome * Keratoconjunctivitis sicca * Exposure keratopathy * Fuch's dystrophy * No other active disorders of the cornea Gastrointestinal * No gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or a requirement for IV alimentation * No active peptic ulcer disease * No intractable nausea or vomiting * Able to swallow medications OR receive enteral medications via gastrostomy feeding tube Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer currently in complete remission PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * More than 28 days since prior biologic therapy for this malignancy Chemotherapy * More than 28 days since prior chemotherapy for this malignancy Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * More than 60 days since prior radiotherapy to the target lesion with subsequent documented progression * More than 60 days since prior radiofrequency ablation to the target lesion with subsequent documented progression * No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery * At least 3 weeks since prior major surgery and recovered * No prior surgical procedure affecting absorption Other * More than 28 days since prior investigational drugs for this malignancy * More than 60 days since prior embolization to the target lesion with subsequent documented progression * No prior epidermal growth factor receptor-targeting therapy * No concurrent antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients * No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies for the malignancy