Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed cutaneous or mucosal melanoma or renal cell
carcinoma

- Unresectable disease

- No known uncontrolled CNS metastases

- CNS metastases allowed only if recently irradiated or known to be controlled

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL

- WBC at least 3,000/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

- Absolute lymphocyte count at least 1,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Total bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR

- Conjugated bilirubin no greater than 0.3 mg/dL

- AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 2 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

- No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months

- No uncontrolled hypertension, angina, or congestive heart failure

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study

- No known intolerance to acetaminophen

- No primary or secondary immunodeficiency

- No other condition that would preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Not specified

Chemotherapy:

- Not specified

Endocrine therapy:

- At least 1 month since prior topical, systemic, or inhaled corticosteroids

- No concurrent topical, systemic, or inhaled corticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

Surgery:

- Not specified