Isolated Limb Infusion of Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Melanoma or Soft Tissue Sarcoma of the Arm or Leg That Cannot Be Removed By Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven primary or recurrent, regional melanoma or soft tissue sarcoma that is not amenable to surgical resection Majority (greater than 95%) of disease must be distal to the apex of the femoral triangle in the lower limb and the deltoid insertion in the upper limb Bidimensionally measurable disease in the extremity Patients with disease beyond the limb are eligible if their extremity disease requires palliative treatment in the judgment of their physician PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: At least 6 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: Must have palpable femoral/axillary, dorsalis pedis/popliteal, or radial pulses in the extremity to be treated No signs or symptoms of vascular insufficiency (no history of claudication or other ischemic peripheral vascular disease) Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test No other concurrent serious illness No severe diabetes No prior extremity complications due to diabetes PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy Not specified Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy Not specified Surgery Not specified Other At least 4 weeks since prior antitumor therapy and recovered At least 2 weeks since prior antibiotics