DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed metastatic melanoma that is deemed grossly surgically resectable

  • Multiple resected sites or metastatic melanoma of unknown primary allowed provided all known disease can be grossly resected
  • Recurrence in iliac lymph nodes after inguinal lymph dissection allowed

• No metastatic disease beyond the lesions planned for resection

  • Confirmed by CT scan of chest, abdomen, pelvis, and CT or MRI of brain within 42 days of study
• Concurrent registration on protocol SWOG-9431 required

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• SWOG 0-2

Hematopoietic:

• Not specified

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Not specified

Other:

• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer from which patient is currently disease free
• Not pregnant

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Prior immunotherapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed

Chemotherapy:

• Prior chemotherapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed

Endocrine therapy:

• Prior hormonal therapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed

Radiotherapy:

• Prior radiotherapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 14 days since prior surgery in the adjuvant or metastatic setting

Other:

• Recovered from prior therapy