RATIONALE: Germ cell tumors (GCT) are highly sensitive to chemotherapy such that even with metastatic disease at diagnosis, many patients can be cured. Patients who fall into the poor risk category or others who relapse can be successfully salvaged with high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant (AuSCT). As in other diseases such as myeloma, sequential high dose chemotherapy and AuSCT may improve overall and disease free survival.