Conventional chemotherapy results in high mortality rates in patients with solid tumors involving the bones or the bone marrow. High dose melphalan (MEL) with or without total body irradiation followed by bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has prolonged survival, but curative potential has remained disappointing. In order to improve survival 20 children with generalized or relapsed solid tumors (neuroblastoma, peripheral neuroectodermal tumor, Ewing's sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma) underwent autologous (n = 16) or allogeneic (n = 4) BMT. The myeloablative regimen consisted of 12 Gy fractionated total body irradiation (FTBI) and high dose MEL. In 12 of these patients this regimen was intensified by giving 60 mg/kg etoposide (1800 mg/m2 VP), and 1.5 g/m2 carboplatin (CBDCA) was added in seven of these 12 patients. The intensification of FTBI and MEL by adding VP and CBDCA was followed by acceptable toxicity. Acute liver toxicity in 15/20 patients (75%) and acute renal toxicity in 17/20 patients (85%) did not exceed WHO grade 1. The use of the conditioning regimen FTBI-MEL-VP-CBDCA during first chemotherapy response is a promising approach in treatment of children suffering from generalized solid tumors.