Combination Chemotherapy Alone or With Radiation Therapy in Treating Children With Kidney Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed stage I-V kidney cancer of one of the following histologies: * Wilms' tumor, favorable histology * Wilms' tumor, focal or diffuse anaplastic * Clear cell sarcoma * Rhabdoid tumor * (The rhabdoid tumor stratum closed to accrual effective 07/13/2001) * Prior nephrectomy or biopsy required * Prior bilateral biopsy (preferably open) with bilateral staging and pathologic evaluation required for bilateral tumor * Must begin study therapy within 5 days after nephrectomy (unless medically contraindicated) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Under 16 Performance status: * Not specified Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Not specified Hepatic: * Not specified Renal: * Not specified Other: * Not pregnant * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * No prior radiotherapy Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics