Inclusion Criteria

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