Fifty-five patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the shoulder and pelvic girdles were treated between 1982 and 1987 with a consistent policy of limb conservation, using a wide variety of excisional and reconstructive surgical techniques and radical radiotherapy. Actuarial 5-year overall survival was 75 per cent for patients with low or intermediate grade tumours, and 38 per cent for those with high grade tumours (log rank test, P less than 0.05). Five-year local recurrence rates were 32 per cent for low or intermediate grade tumours, and 48 per cent for high grade tumours (log rank test, not significant). Multivariate analysis of the following risk factors for overall survival was performed: age, sex, tumour site, diameter, grade, inadequate surgical margins and local recurrence. Age over 55 years and high tumour grade emerged as independent prognostic variables for survival. Forequarter or hindquarter amputations were undertaken in seven of the 55 patients for local recurrence following previous limb-conserving surgery and radiotherapy. Local failure was not always salvaged by major amputation; satisfactory proximal tumour clearance was achieved in only two of seven patients undergoing major amputation; four of the seven patients developed stump recurrence, three of whom died with uncontrolled local disease. Meticulous attention to surgical and radiotherapeutic technique is required to minimize the incidence of local recurrence while maintaining satisfactory limb function.