Biological Therapy and Temozolomide in Treating Patients With Metastatic Melanoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic melanoma * No ocular or mucosal melanoma * Must meet one of the following criteria: * Failed standard or salvage therapy * Ineligible for standard therapy due to concurrent illness * Declined standard therapy * Received at least 1 prior therapy for metastatic disease * Brain metastasis as only site of metastatic disease allowed if there is documented evidence of progression after at least 1 prior treatment for metastases * No leptomeningeal metastases * At least 1 documented site of bidimensionally measurable disease by MRI or CT scan * Previously irradiated lesions not considered measurable unless documented disease progression after radiotherapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * More than 3 months Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL * No coagulation disorder such as thrombophlebitis Hepatic: * Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL * AST and ALT less than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Alkaline phosphatase less than 3 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine less than 1.5 times ULN * BUN less than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: * Ejection fraction at least 45% * No active ischemia * No unstable angina * No uncontrolled congestive heart failure Pulmonary: * Normal pulmonary function tests within the past month * FEV1 or FVC more than 65% predicted * No uncontrolled pulmonary embolism Gastrointestinal: * No frequent vomiting * No medical condition that would preclude oral medication intake (e.g., partial bowel obstruction) Other: * No prolonged grade 4 myelosuppression from prior dacarbazine lasting more than 3 weeks * No uncontrolled cortical dysfunction * No other major medical illness (e.g., active systemic infection, autoimmune disease, or uncontrolled thyroid abnormality) * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except resected basal cell carcinoma or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No significant psychiatric disease that would preclude study compliance * No AIDS-related illness * HIV negative * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics Biologic therapy: * More than 1 month since prior biologic therapy or immunotherapy Chemotherapy: * More than 1 month since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) Endocrine therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior steroid therapy or steroid-containing compounds * At least 2 weeks since prior topical or inhaled steroids Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * More than 1 month since prior radiotherapy, interstitial brachytherapy, or radiosurgery Surgery: * At least 1 week since prior surgery