PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: At least 6 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Cardiovascular: Not specified Pulmonary: Not specified Other: No active untreated infection No known infection with HIV No concurrent medical conditions that would prevent compliance No history or evidence of active eczema or psoriasis or other contraindications to vaccinia virus administration (i.e., allergy) No significant allergy or hypersensitivity to eggs No evidence of immunosuppression Must be able to avoid contact with high risk individuals (immunosuppressed patients, children under 3, pregnant women, or patients with a history of or active eczema or other exfoliative diseases) for 7-10 days after immunization (household contacts must not be high risk) Fertile patients must use effective contraception