DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven, cutaneous AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) Must have failed at least 1 standard chemotherapy regimen for KS Chemotherapy refractory (progressed during anthracycline-based or paclitaxel therapy) OR Chemotherapy intolerant (hypersensitivity to drug or unacceptable toxicity) HIV positive At least 5 measurable cutaneous lesions No prior radiotherapy or intradermal therapy to indicator lesions OR KS-related generalized edema or edema of the extremities without evidence of active cutaneous lesions