Flavopiridol in Treating Patients With Metastatic Malignant Melanoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed metastatic malignant melanoma not amenable to standard curative therapies No prior regional or systemic therapy for metastatic disease Measurable disease At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan Bone lesions not considered measurable No known CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) AST no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than ULN Cardiovascular: If history of cardiac disease, ejection fraction greater than 50% No clinically significant cardiac symptomology Pulmonary: If history of pulmonary disease, FEV1, FVC, and TLC greater than 60% predicted and DLCO greater than 50% predicted No clinically significant pulmonary symptomology Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other concurrent serious disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior adjuvant immunotherapy allowed No prior immunotherapy for metastatic disease Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior adjuvant hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Must have measurable disease outside irradiated area OR Evidence of progression or new lesions in irradiated area No more than 25% of functioning bone marrow irradiated No concurrent radiotherapy to sole site of measurable disease Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery Other: No other concurrent anticancer therapy or investigational anticancer agents