Sunitinib in Treating Patients With Metastatic, Locally Advanced, or Locally Recurrent Sarcomas

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed connective tissue neoplasm, including any of the following neoplastic subtypes: * Vascular connective tissue neoplasms * Leiomyosarcoma * Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans * Chordoma * Desmoid tumors * High-grade undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (e.g., malignant fibrous histiocytoma \[including myxofibrosarcoma\]) * Carcinosarcomas (e.g., malignant mixed Müllerian tumors) * Giant hemangiomata * Kaposi sarcoma * Metastatic, locally advanced, or locally recurrent disease * Measurable disease * Tumor lesions in a previously irradiated area may be considered measurable provided there is evidence of growth that cannot be attributed to necrosis or bleeding * No gastrointestinal stromal tumor sarcomas * Prior standard neoadjuvant or adjuvant systemic therapy required for patients with the following diagnoses: * Rhabdomyosarcoma * Osteosarcoma * Ewing sarcoma * No untreated brain metastases, spinal cord compression, or evidence of symptomatic brain metastases or leptomeningeal disease as documented on screening CT scan or MRI PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-2 * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm³ * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³ * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL * PT and INR ≤ 1.5 * AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL * Calcium ≤ 12 mg/dL * Blood glucose \< 150 mg/dL * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients …