A 67-year-old female presented with progressive shortness of breath for more than 6 months. Chest radiographs and a computed tomography scan showed a giant extra-pulmonary solid mass in the left thoracic cavity with minimal pleural effusion. The mass compressed the mediastinum and left lung. A left lateral video-assisted thoracotomy was performed and the clearly demarcated mass was removed. A giant reddish solid mass measuring 22.5×17.0×9.0 cm and weighing 2.6 kg was found during operation. The pathological diagnosis was malignant solitary fibrous tumor. Histological examination showed a solitary fibrous tumor composed of a relatively uniform, bland hypocellular to hypercellular spindle cell population in collagenous, cellular and myxoid stroma. The patient remained well during a 2-year follow-up after the operation.