DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed stage IV melanoma Metastatic disease At least 1 bidimensionally measurable target lesion by CT scan No brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 OR WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Hemoglobin greater than 10 g/dL Neutrophil count greater than 2,000/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Transaminases no greater than 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.7 mg/dL Cardiovascular: Clinically normal cardiac function No history of severe or unstable ischemic heart disease 12-lead ECG normal Other: No history of unstable systemic disease No concurrent uncontrolled diabetes mellitus No concurrent infection No history of hypersensitivity to sulfonamides No other malignancy within the past 5 years except cone-biopsied carcinoma of the cervix or adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 2 weeks since prior blood transfusions At least 2 weeks since prior growth factors At least 6 weeks since prior experimental vaccine therapy No prior immunotherapy for metastatic disease No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease No other concurrent anticancer chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent anticancer hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy except palliation for pain control or other reasons (e.g., bronchial obstruction or ulcerating skin lesions) with no curative intent Surgery: Not specified Other: At least 6 weeks since prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy At least 4 weeks since prior experimental drugs At least 2 weeks since prior and no concurrent coumarin anti-coagulants, terfenadine, cisapride, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, theophylline, diazepam, sulfonylurea anti-diabetics, phenytoin, or carbamazepine No other concurrent experimental agents