Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed malignant melanoma that is metastatic
(any pT, any N, M1 by AJCC staging) Measurable disease by physical exam or noninvasive
radiologic procedure No concurrent or prior diagnosis of ocular melanoma No CNS metastases
No patients who can be rendered NED by surgery unless patient declines surgery

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0 or 1 Life expectancy:
At least 4 months Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet
count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2 mg/dL AST or ALT no
greater than 3 times normal No evidence of hepatic failure No active hepatitis Renal:
Creatinine clearance at least 40 mL/min Cardiovascular: No myocardial infarction within 6
months No decompensating congestive heart failure No unstable angina No current
symptomatic arrhythmia Other: No known HIV antibody No thyroid abnormality uncontrollable
by medication No medical, sociological, or psychological impediment to study compliance No
pre-existing psychiatric condition (especially depression) or history of severe
psychiatric disorder No autoimmune disease (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple
sclerosis, ankylosing spondylitis) No concurrent malignancy except nonmelanomatous skin
cancer Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Effective contraception required of
fertile women No history of egg allergies

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 12 months since interferon alfa or
melanoma vaccine No prior immunotherapy for metastatic disease No concurrent cytokines or
levamisole Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease At least 4 months
since adjuvant therapy No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 1 week since
corticosteroids No concurrent immunosuppressives (e.g., azathioprine or cyclosporine)
Radiotherapy: Prior radiotherapy for metastatic disease allowed Surgery: See Disease
Characteristics Prior surgery for metastatic disease allowed