DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed melanoma with documented metastatic disease

  • In transit metastases allowed
  • Lesion accessible for biopsy

• Measurable disease

  • Greater than 20 mm by conventional techniques OR greater than 10 mm by spiral CT
• Documented progressive disease by radiologic study or physical examination

• Known history of CNS metastasis who have had treatment, are neurologically stable, and do not require intravenous antibiotics or anticonvulsants eligible provided oral steroids are not required and brain scan (CT or MRI) shows absence of active or residual disease

  • If neurologic signs or symptoms suggestive of CNS metastasis, negative brain scan required

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• WHO 0-2

Life expectancy:

• At least 12 weeks

Hematopoietic:

• WBC at least 3,000/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• Transaminases no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

• No uncompensated coronary artery disease
• No history of myocardial infarction or severe/unstable angina within past 6 months
• No severe peripheral vascular disease associated with diabetes mellitus
• No deep venous or arterial thrombosis within past 3 months

Pulmonary:

• No pulmonary embolism within past 3 months

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other significant uncontrolled underlying medical or psychiatric illness
• No serious active infections
• No other malignancy within past 5 years except for curatively treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No history of severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to paclitaxel or docetaxel

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• No other concurrent investigational antineoplastic drugs

Endocrine therapy:

• See Disease Characteristics

Radiotherapy:

• No prior radiotherapy to only site of measurable disease
• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• No greater than 1 prior therapy for metastatic disease
• At least 4 weeks since prior therapy