DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of stage III or IV melanoma At least 3 cutaneous tumors for treatment (treatment tumors) AND 1-7 additional cutaneous, visceral, or lymph node tumors for response assessment (marker tumors) Treatment tumors must be on trunk, arms, or legs AND be 1.0-3.6 cm in longest dimension Measurable disease by calipers or CT scan No CNS metastases by CT scan