Abstract Purpose Many cooperative groups have reported on the chemo-sensitivity of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Doxorubicin has been tested but remains a controversial treatment option. We report here the results of the up-front evaluation of the efficacy of doxorubicin in children and adolescents with high-risk metastatic RMS. Patients and methods Patients younger than 18 years of age (>6 months) with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed high-risk metastatic RMS were required to have measurable disease, to have undergone no prior chemotherapy or radiation therapy and to have normal liver, renal and cardiac function before treatment. Doxorubicin was administered intravenously over 48 h to a total dose of 60 mg/m2 . Two courses were given separated by a 21 day interval. Response to therapy was assessed by diagnostic imaging after the second course. The study was designed as a two-stage procedure according to the multistep plan described by Fleming. Results Twenty patients were eligible for analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 9.8 years (range from 2 to 16). Thirteen of the 20 patients treated in the first step responded to treatment, corresponding to an overall response to doxorubicin of 65% 95% confidence interval (CI), 44–85%. The rates of CR and PR were 5% 95% CI, 0–14% and 60% 95% CI, 39–81%, respectively. Four (20%) patients had progressive disease, corresponding to a progression rate of 20% 95% CI, 2–38%. Conclusion This window study provides the definitive demonstration of the efficacy of doxorubicin in untreated RMS. Given the inconclusive results obtained from previous studies using differing schedules chemotherapy incorporating doxorubicin, the next step should be a randomised study testing dose intensity in high-risk localised RMS. This issue is being addressed in a current European study (EpSSG RMS 2005).