Flavopiridol in Treating Patients With Metastatic Malignant Melanoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed metastatic malignant melanoma not amenable to standard curative therapies * No prior regional or systemic therapy for metastatic disease * Measurable disease * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Bone lesions not considered measurable * No known CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: * Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine no greater than ULN Cardiovascular: * If history of cardiac disease, ejection fraction greater than 50% * No clinically significant cardiac symptomology Pulmonary: * If history of pulmonary disease, FEV1, FVC, and TLC greater than 60% predicted and DLCO greater than 50% predicted * No clinically significant pulmonary symptomology Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No other concurrent serious disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior adjuvant immunotherapy allowed * No prior immunotherapy for metastatic disease Chemotherapy: * No prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior adjuvant hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered * Must have measurable disease outside irradiated area OR * Evidence of progression or new lesions in irradiated area * No more than 25% of functioning bone marrow irradiated * No concurrent radiotherapy to sole site of measurable disease Surgery: * At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery Other: * No other concurrent anticancer therapy or investigational anticancer agents