DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed metastatic malignant melanoma not amenable to standard curative therapies

  • No prior regional or systemic therapy for metastatic disease

• Measurable disease

  • At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
  • At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
  • Bone lesions not considered measurable
• No known CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• At least 12 weeks

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than ULN

Cardiovascular:

• If history of cardiac disease, ejection fraction greater than 50%
• No clinically significant cardiac symptomology

Pulmonary:

• If history of pulmonary disease, FEV1, FVC, and TLC greater than 60% predicted and DLCO greater than 50% predicted
• No clinically significant pulmonary symptomology

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other concurrent serious disease

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior adjuvant immunotherapy allowed
• No prior immunotherapy for metastatic disease

Chemotherapy:

• No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease
• No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior adjuvant hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• Must have measurable disease outside irradiated area OR
• Evidence of progression or new lesions in irradiated area
• No more than 25% of functioning bone marrow irradiated
• No concurrent radiotherapy to sole site of measurable disease

Surgery:

• At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery

Other:

• No other concurrent anticancer therapy or investigational anticancer agents