DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: No more than 1 unresected or subtotally resected brain metastasis lesion from histologically confirmed systemic malignancy Eligible only if surgical resection refused by patient or resection deemed inappropriate by patient's physician 1 intraparenchymal metastasis clearly defined on contrast enhanced MRI Maximum diameter of lesion no greater than 4.0 cm No leukemia or lymphoma Extracranial sites of primary metastatic disease allowed if no clinical or radiographic evidence of progression within 1 month prior to entry No metastasis to brainstem, midbrain, pons, or medulla No leptomeningeal metastasis by MRI or CSF evaluation No metastasis within 10 mm of optic nerves and chiasm (area must be excluded from high dose stereotactic radiosurgery boost field)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: 70-100% Karnofsky Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: Neurologic status 0-2 No major medical or psychiatric contraindication to protocol entry Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No concurrent chemotherapy for systemic cancer Endocrine therapy: Concurrent hormonal therapy, including tamoxifen, allowed Radiotherapy: No prior cranial radiotherapy Surgery: Prior subtotal resection allowed Other: No other concurrent treatment for brain metastasis until recurrence