PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: At least 6 months Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT and SGPT no greater than 4 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Other: HIV negative No uncontrolled seizure disorders, encephalitis, or multiple sclerosis No history of allergy or untoward reaction to prior vaccination with vaccinia virus No other prior or concurrent diagnosis of altered immune function, including eczema, atopic dermatitis, or any autoimmune disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren's syndrome, scleroderma, myasthenia gravis, Goodpasture's syndrome, Addison's disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or active Graves' disease Must be maintaining a reasonable state of nutrition, consistent with weight maintenance No frequent vomiting or severe anorexia Must be able to avoid close contact with children 3 years or younger, pregnant women, individuals with eczema or history of eczema or other open skin conditions, or immunosuppressed individuals for at least 2 weeks after each vaccination No serious concurrent medical illnesses including inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or active diverticulitis Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 6 months after study