Paclitaxel, Ifosfamide, and Carboplatin Followed By Autologous Stem Cell Transplant in Treating Patients With Germ Cell Tumors That Did Not Respond to Cisplatin

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed germ cell tumor (GCT) * Primary CNS GCT allowed * Unidimensionally measurable disease OR elevated serum tumor markers (alpha-fetoprotein and/or human chorionic gonadotropin) * Advanced disease * Disease resistant to a cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimen (i.e., failed to achieve a durable complete response to cisplatin) * Known residual disease after post-chemotherapy surgery allowed PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 * WBC ≥ 3,000/mm\^3 * Creatinine clearance \> 50 mL/min (unless due to tumor obstructing the ureters) * AST and ALT \< 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Bilirubin \< 1.5 times ULN * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No active infection * Negative serology for HIV type I and II, human T-lymphotropic virus type I and II, hepatitis B or C virus, syphilis, and cytomegalovirus * Hepatitis C negative serology by RIBA or PCR * Adequate medical condition for general anesthesia PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * Recovered from recent surgery * At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy * No prior high-dose therapy with autologous bone marrow transplantation * No other concurrent chemotherapy * No other concurrent treatment (e.g., surgery or radiotherapy)