Inclusion Criteria:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IV melanoma

- At least 1 measurable lesion

- Greater than 20 mm by conventional techniques

- Greater than 10 mm by spiral CT scan

- Known brain metastases allowed if all of the following criteria are met:

- Radiologically stable for at least 6 weeks after completion of whole brain
radiotherapy

- Stable at time of study

- No mass effect present radiologically

- No concurrent steroids to control symptoms of brain metastases

- Performance status - ECOG 0-2

- Performance status - Karnofsky 60-100%

- At least 3 months

- Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3

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

- Bilirubin normal

- AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN

- No symptomatic congestive heart failure

- No unstable angina pectoris

- No cardiac arrhythmia

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No prior severe allergic reactions (grade III or IV or grade II not responsive to
steroids) to taxanes or medications containing Cremophor EL

- No pre-existing grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy

- No HIV-positive patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy

- No other concurrent uncontrolled illness

- No ongoing or active infection

- No psychiatric illness that would preclude study

- Prior vaccine therapy allowed

- Prior immunotherapy (e.g., interleukin-2 or interferon) allowed

- Stratum I:

- No prior chemotherapy

- Stratum II:

- No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens (must have included dacarbazine or
temozolomide)

- See Disease Characteristics

- See Disease Characteristics

- Prior limb-perfusion therapy allowed (stratum II)

- No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies intended to
treat malignancy

- No concurrent Hypericum perforatum