RATIONALE: Hyperthermia therapy kills tumor cells by heating them to several degrees above
body temperature. Using MRI to measure heat may help to determine the effectiveness of
hyperthermia therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Drugs
used in chemotherapy, such as ifosfamide and doxorubicin, work in different ways to stop
tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining hyperthermia with radiation
therapy and chemotherapy before surgery may kill more tumor cells and shrink the tumor so
that it can be removed.
PURPOSE: This phase I/II trial is studying the side effects of hyperthermia when given
together with radiation therapy and optional chemotherapy and to see how well they work in
treating patients who are undergoing surgery for soft tissue sarcoma of the limbs.