DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed unresectable metastatic melanoma

  • Must have asymptomatic brain metastasis that is not amenable to surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery (gamma knife, Linac)
  • Must have concurrent visceral/soft tissue metastases
• At least 1 site of measurable disease (not necessarily the brain metastasis)

• Documented evidence of disease progression defined by 1 of the following conditions:

  • More than 25% increase in the size of at least 1 measurable lesion
  • Appearance of a new lesion
  • A significant increase in the size of nonmeasurable disease
• No neurological symptoms, including signs of elevated intracranial pressure

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
• Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT or SGPT less than 3 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase less than 3 times ULN

Renal:

• Urea less than 1.5 times ULN
• Creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN

Other:

• No frequent vomiting or medical condition (e.g., partial bowel obstruction) that would interfere with oral medication intake
• No other prior or concurrent malignancy except surgically cured carcinoma in situ of the cervix or basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer
• No uncontrolled infection
• HIV negative
• No AIDS-related illness
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Prior cytokine via isolated limb perfusion for local-regional melanoma allowed
• No other prior cytokine for metastatic melanoma
• No concurrent colony-stimulating factors, including epoetin alfa or filgrastim (G-CSF)
• No other concurrent immunologic or biologic therapy

Chemotherapy:

• Prior chemotherapy via isolated limb perfusion for local-regional melanoma allowed
• No other prior chemotherapy for metastatic melanoma
• No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• Concurrent corticosteroids allowed during radiotherapy (arm II only)
• No concurrent hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No other concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics
• Recovered from the effects of any prior major surgery

Other:

• No other concurrent investigational drugs