We have retrospectively examined the records of 47 patients treated in our department between 1977 and 1987 for soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities trunk, head or retroperitoneal space. We also reanalyze the histologic slides of 38 patients with respect to grade and necrosis. Surgery was performed for cure intent in 31 patients. Of these, 20 with a tumor of the extremities, trunk, or head underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. The patients with a high-grade sarcoma also received adjuvant chemotherapy. Local control was achieved in 95% of these 20 patients. These results compare favorably with other reported series. Out of the 8 patients with a tumor of the retroperitoneum, only one is alive without evidence of disease. The histological studies confirmed the relationship between grade and necrosis.