Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed malignancy that is stage IV and/or at
high risk of recurrence despite standard treatment Stage IV malignancy that is surgically
rendered free of macroscopic tumor allowed if current available treatment is not likely to
offer a survival advantage or result in significant palliation If at high risk for
recurrence, must have an estimated recurrence rate of at least 75% following definitive
therapy, such as: Postresection of pancreatic cancer Gastric cancer with regional lymph
node involvement Node positive stage II or stage III esophageal cancer Stage IIIA or IIIB
non-small cell lung cancer Breast cancer with at least 10 positive axillary nodes Must
have low tumor burden or no evidence of disease Must have evidence of prior vaccinia (for
smallpox immunization) Must have CEA expressing type tumor or a serum CEA elevation of 10
or greater during course of disease No CNS metastases Hormone receptor status: Not
specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Menopausal status: Not specified Performance
status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: At least 6 months Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte
count at least 1,500/mm3 WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3
Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT and SGPT no
greater than 4 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL OR Creatinine
clearance at least 50 mL/min Other: HIV negative No uncontrolled seizure disorders,
encephalitis, or multiple sclerosis No history of allergy or untoward reaction to prior
vaccination with vaccinia virus No other prior or concurrent diagnosis of altered immune
function, including eczema, atopic dermatitis, or any autoimmune disease such as systemic
lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, myasthenia gravis, Goodpasture's
syndrome, Addison's disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or active Graves' disease Must be
maintaining a reasonable state of nutrition, consistent with weight maintenance No
frequent vomiting or severe anorexia Must be able to avoid close contact with children 3
years or younger, pregnant women, individuals with eczema or history of eczema or other
open skin conditions, or immunosuppressed individuals for at least 2 weeks after each
vaccination No serious concurrent medical illnesses including inflammatory bowel disease,
Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or active diverticulitis Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for
at least 6 months after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Must have recovered from toxic effects of all prior therapy
Biologic therapy: Prior vaccinia immunization required No concurrent biologic therapy No
concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks
since prior nitrosoureas or mitomycin) No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy:
Physiologic replacement of steroids allowed No concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy:
No prior radiotherapy to more than 50% of all nodal groups Surgery: At least 3 weeks since
any prior major surgery