PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL 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) Transaminase no greater than 3 times ULN (unless attributable to metastatic disease) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study HIV negative No active systemic infections No other serious concurrent systemic medical disorders that would preclude study compliance No history of, or immediate household contact with, eczema, exfoliative skin disorders, pregnant women, children under 3 years of age, or other immunocompromise offering an increased risk for disseminated vaccinia infection