High-Dose Interferon Alfa in Treating Patients With Stage II or Stage III Melanoma

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed primary melanoma of cutaneous origin * Stage II (T3 N0 M0 1.5-4.0 mm Breslow depth) * Clinically negative regional lymph node pathologic status unknown OR * Histologically negative regional lymph nodes * Stage III (T4 N0 M0) * Greater than 4.0 mm Breslow depth OR * Stage III (T1-4 N1) * One lymph node positive microscopically * Patients must meet at least 1 of the following criteria: * T2b N0 - primary melanoma 1.01-2.0 mm with ulceration, node negative * T3a-b N0 - primary melanoma 2.01-4.0 mm with and without ulceration, node negative * T4a-b N0 - primary melanoma \> 4.0 mm with or without ulceration, node negative * T1a N1a-2a (microscopic) - primary melanoma of any thickness with microscopically positive lymph node (any number) * Patients with a positive sentinel node should undergo complete lymphadenectomy of the nodal basin prior to study * Must complete all primary therapy (wide excision with or without lymphadenectomy) and be randomized in this study within 84 days of wide excision * Must have undergone an adequate wide excision of the primary lesion * Age 18 and over (For ECOG patients only, patients must be \>=10 years) * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance status of 0-1 * Adequate hematopoietic, hepatic, and renal function based on the following tests: * White blood cell (WBC) cout at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 125,000/mm\^3 * Hematocrit at least 30% * Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN * If lactate dehydrogenase or alkaline phosphatase is above normal, a contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan or Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver is required to document the absence of tumor * Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) no greater than 33 mg/dL OR Creatinine no greater than 1.8 mg/dL * No other concurrent or prior malignancies within the past 5 years except: * Cancer in situ * Lobular carcinoma in situ of the breast * Carcinoma in situ of the cervix * Atypical melanocytic hyperplasia or Clark 1 melanoma in situ * Basal or squamous cell skin cancer * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical, radiological/laboratory, or pathological evidence of incompletely resected melanoma or any distant metastatic disease * Clinically palpable lymphadenopathy * Evidence of organic brain syndrome or significant impairment of basal cognitive function or any psychiatric disorder that would preclude study participation * Other significant medical or surgical condition, or any medication or treatment regimens, that would interfere with study participation * Pregnant or nursing * Other history of invasive melanoma * Autoimmune disorders or conditions of immunosuppression * History of active ischemic heart disease * Cerebrovascular disease * Congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease) * Prior or concurrent chemotherapy * Prior immunotherapy including tumor vaccines, interferon, interleukins, levamisole, or other biologic response modifiers for melanoma * Concurrent systemic corticosteroids including oral steroids (i.e., prednisone, dexamethasone), topical steroid creams or ointments, or any steroid-containing inhalers * Prior or concurrent radiotherapy * Other concurrent immunosuppressive medications