Biological Therapy and Temozolomide in Treating Patients With Metastatic Melanoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic melanoma No ocular or mucosal melanoma Must meet one of the following criteria: Failed standard or salvage therapy Ineligible for standard therapy due to concurrent illness Declined standard therapy Received at least 1 prior therapy for metastatic disease Brain metastasis as only site of metastatic disease allowed if there is documented evidence of progression after at least 1 prior treatment for metastases No leptomeningeal metastases At least 1 documented site of bidimensionally measurable disease by MRI or CT scan Previously irradiated lesions not considered measurable unless documented disease progression after radiotherapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: More than 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL No coagulation disorder such as thrombophlebitis Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL AST and ALT less than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase less than 3 times ULN Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN BUN less than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: Ejection fraction at least 45% No active ischemia No unstable angina No uncontrolled congestive heart failure Pulmonary: Normal pulmonary function tests within the past month FEV1 or FVC more than 65% predicted No uncontrolled pulmonary embolism Gastrointestinal: No frequent vomiting No medical condition that would preclude oral medication intake (e.g., partial bowel obstruction) Other: No prolonged grade 4 myelosuppression from prior dacarbazine lasting more than 3 weeks No uncontrolled cortical dysfunction No other major medical illness (e.g., active systemic infection, autoimmune disease, or uncontrolled thyroid abnormality) No other malignancy within the past 5 years except resected basal cell carcinoma or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No significant psychiatric disease that would preclude study compliance No AIDS-related illness HIV negative Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: See Disease Characteristics Biologic therapy: More than 1 month since prior biologic therapy or immunotherapy Chemotherapy: More than 1 month since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior steroid therapy or steroid-containing compounds At least 2 weeks since prior topical or inhaled steroids Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics More than 1 month since prior radiotherapy, interstitial brachytherapy, or radiosurgery Surgery: At least 1 week since prior surgery