DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Biopsy-proven Ewing's sarcoma, atypical Ewing's sarcoma, and peripheral neuroectodermal tumors No soft tissue Ewing's sarcoma or other small cell sarcomas of soft tissue Such patients should be treated on the appropriate national Soft Tissue Sarcoma Protocol Treatment must begin within 3 weeks after diagnostic biopsy Registration must occur within 6 weeks after initiation of treatment