High-Dose Thiotepa Plus Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation in Treating Patients With Refractory Solid Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Malignant solid tumors * Must have failed conventional treatment or for whom conventional therapy is not available * Measurable disease by MRI or CT scan * Intraocular retinoblastomas may be measured by direct visualization * Germ cell tumors may be measured by tumor markers * No known bone marrow involvement PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Any age Performance status: * Lansky 60-100% for patients 16 and under * Karnofsky 60-100% for patients over 16 Life expectancy: * At least 8 weeks Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 75,000/mm\^3 * If parameters not met, must have adequate stem cell yield Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2.5 times the ULN (unless liver involvement by tumor) Renal: * Creatinine within normal limits OR * Creatinine clearance at least 70 mL/min Cardiovascular: * Fractional shortening greater than 28% on echocardiogram OR * Ejection fraction at least 55% on RNCA prior to first cycle of thiotepa Pulmonary: * DLCO greater than 55% of predicted (only required if there is clinical evidence of pulmonary dysfunction) Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Prior bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell rescue allowed Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy if absolute neu…