Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed advanced melanoma beyond hope of
surgical cure or metastatic disease Tumors must be refractory to all known forms of
effective therapy No CNS tumor involvement No major liver involvement (more than 33%
replacement of liver by tumor)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 16 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At
least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 3,000/mm3 Absolute granulocyte count at
least 1,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5
mg/dL Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times normal SGOT no greater than 3 times
normal Protein no less than 15% below lower limit of normal Renal: BUN less than 30 mg/dL
Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance no less than 60 mL/min Calcium no
greater than 11.0 mg/dL Sodium 130-150 mEq/L Potassium 3.0-5.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No
organic heart disease, including: - coronary artery disease - history of angina - history
of dysrhythmia requiring ongoing medical intervention - uncontrolled hypertension -
patients requiring beta blockers Neurologic: No moderate or severe peripheral neuropathy
No history of severe emotional instability by psychiatric history Pulmonary: FEV1 at least
60% of predicted Maximum voluntary volume at least 60% of predicted Partial pressure of
oxygen at least 60 OR Oxygen saturation at least 90% Other: No history of secondary
primary cancer which conceivably could be active No active nonmalignant gastric and/or
duodenal ulcer No serious infection requiring hospitalization within the previous 14 days
No history of hepatitis related to general anesthesia No history of allergy to lidocaine
or related compounds No development of malignant hyperthermia after general anesthesia No
unexplained persistent fever Not pregnant or nursing

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since biologic therapy
Chemotherapy: At least 8 weeks since nitrosoureas (e.g., lomustine, carmustine, mitomycin)
At least 4 weeks since any other chemotherapy Recovered from all toxic effects No
concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since endocrine therapy No
concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since radiotherapy No prior
irradiation of more than 25% of the marrow Surgery: Not specified Other: No concurrent
nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents or aspirin