SWOG-9430: Surgery in Treating Patients With Metastatic Melanoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed metastatic melanoma that is deemed grossly surgically resectable * Multiple resected sites or metastatic melanoma of unknown primary allowed provided all known disease can be grossly resected * Recurrence in iliac lymph nodes after inguinal lymph dissection allowed * No metastatic disease beyond the lesions planned for resection * Confirmed by CT scan of chest, abdomen, pelvis, and CT or MRI of brain within 42 days of study * Concurrent registration on protocol SWOG-9431 required PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * SWOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: * Not specified Hepatic: * Not specified Renal: * Not specified Other: * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer from which patient is currently disease free * Not pregnant PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Prior immunotherapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed Chemotherapy: * Prior chemotherapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed Endocrine therapy: * Prior hormonal therapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed Radiotherapy: * Prior radiotherapy in the adjuvant or metastatic setting allowed Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 14 days since prior surgery in the adjuvant or metastatic setting Other: * Recovered from prior therapy