PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 2 weeks since prior biologic therapy for AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma At least 2 weeks since prior immunotherapy for AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma and recovered At least 2 weeks since prior epoetin alfa, filgrastim (G-CSF), or sargramostim (GM-CSF) No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: At least 2 weeks since prior chemotherapy for AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma and recovered No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 2 weeks since prior hormonal therapy for AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma No concurrent hormonal therapy (including beta-HCG) Radiotherapy: Recovered from prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior surgery and recovered No prior biopsy of measurable lesion Other: No prior laser therapy to measurable lesion Stable antiretroviral therapy for at least 2 weeks At least 3 weeks since other investigational drugs No concurrent local or topical therapy for disease No other concurrent investigational agents