Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation Plus Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Malignant Solid Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven malignant solid tumor, including any of the following: * Rhabdomyosarcoma * Neuroblastoma * Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor * Germ cell tumors * Childhood brain tumors * Hepatoblastoma * Metastatic disease OR has failed at least first-line therapy * Ineligible for higher priority protocols PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Under 36 at transplantation Performance status: * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: * At least 8 weeks Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm3 * Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * Liver function tests no greater than 2 times normal OR * No active hepatitis on liver biopsy * No hepatitis B infection Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR * Glomerular filtration rate (preferably measured) greater than 60% of normal Cardiovascular: * Left ventricular ejection fraction at least 45% * No active congestive heart failure * No active arrhythmia Pulmonary: * Age 8 and under: clinically normal pulmonary function * Over age 8: FEV1 and FVC at least 50% predicted * Arterial blood gases normal and DLCO at least 50% if spirograms difficult to * interpret due to poor patient effort, recent surgery, or pulmonary tumor * involvement Other: * No mucositis or mucosal infection prior to myeloablative chemotherapy * HIV negative * Not pregnant * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effect…