Temozolomide in Treating Patients With Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically, cytologically, or clinically confirmed unresectable, stage IV, or recurrent soft tissue sarcoma No Ewing's sarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, bone sarcomas, mesotheliomas, or primitive neuroectodermal tumors Bidimensionally measurable disease by x-ray, CT scan or MRI, or physical examination No CNS metastases No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for advanced, recurrent, or metastatic disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Greater than 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin greater than 10.0 g/dL WBC at least 3,500/mm3 OR Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT/SGPT no greater than 1.5 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times ULN Renal: Calcium less than ULN Creatinine or BUN less than 1.5 times ULN OR Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test 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 fully excised and/or treated stage I cancer currently in complete remission No nonmalignant systemic disease rendering patient a poor medical risk No acute infection requiring IV antibiotics HIV negative No AIDS-related illness No frequent vomiting or medical condition tha…