OUTLINE: This is a randomized study for patients with high-risk, nonmetastatic sarcoma, except those with the following characteristics: age less than 6 months, stage I/II non-alveolar orbital tumor, stage III disease, or age less than 3 years with parameningeal disease. Patients are stratified according to disease type (rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) vs non-RMS disease), parameningeal site of disease, and participating center. Patients with RMS are further randomized by alveolar histology. Randomization occurs after the first course of chemotherapy.