Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed metastatic melanoma that is deemed grossly surgically
resectable

- Multiple resected sites or metastatic melanoma of unknown primary allowed
provided all known disease can be grossly resected

- Recurrence in iliac lymph nodes after inguinal lymph dissection allowed

- No metastatic disease beyond the lesions planned for resection

- Confirmed by CT scan of chest, abdomen, pelvis, and CT or MRI of brain within 42
days of study

- Concurrent registration on protocol SWOG-9431 required

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- SWOG 0-2

Hematopoietic:

- Not specified

Hepatic:

- Not specified

Renal:

- Not specified

Other:

- No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or
squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated
stage I or II cancer from which patient is currently disease free

- Not pregnant

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Prior immunotherapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed

Chemotherapy:

- Prior chemotherapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed

Endocrine therapy:

- Prior hormonal therapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed

Radiotherapy:

- Prior radiotherapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 14 days since prior surgery in the adjuvant or metastatic setting

Other:

- Recovered from prior therapy