Fludarabine Followed By Adoptive Immunotherapy in Treating Patients With Stage IV Melanoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed metastatic melanoma Stage IV disease HLA-A2 or -A3-expressing disease Bidimensionally measurable residual disease by palpation or radiographic imaging (e.g., x-ray or CT scan) No CNS metastases Previously treated CNS involvement allowed provided there is no evidence of CNS disease at least 2 months after completion of therapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 to 75 Performance status Karnofsky 80-100% Life expectancy More than 6 months Hematopoietic Platelet count > 100,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count > 2,000/mm^3 Hepatic SGOT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin no greater than 1.6 mg/dL INR no greater than 1.5 times normal Renal Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular No congestive heart failure No clinically significant hypotension No symptoms of coronary artery disease No cardiac arrhythmia by EKG requiring drug therapy Pulmonary No clinically significant pulmonary dysfunction FEV_1 at least 1.0 L* DLCO at least 45%* NOTE: *For patients with a history of pulmonary dysfunction Immunologic No active infection No oral temperature greater than 38.2°C within the past 48 hours No systemic infection requiring chronic maintenance or suppressive therapy Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No concurrent immunotherapy (e.g., interleukins, interferons, melanoma vaccines, IV immunoglobulins, expanded polyclonal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, or lymphokine-activated killer therapy) Chemotherapy At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (standard or experimental) Endocrine therapy No concurrent steroids Radiotherapy At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery Not specified Other At least 3 weeks since prior immunosuppressive therapy No concurrent pentoxifylline No other concurrent investigational agents