BMS-247550 in Treating Patients With Stage IV Melanoma

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IV melanoma * At least 1 measurable lesion * Greater than 20 mm by conventional techniques * Greater than 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Known brain metastases allowed if all of the following criteria are met: * Radiologically stable for at least 6 weeks after completion of whole brain radiotherapy * Stable at time of study * No mass effect present radiologically * No concurrent steroids to control symptoms of brain metastases * Performance status - ECOG 0-2 * Performance status - Karnofsky 60-100% * At least 3 months * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Bilirubin normal * AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No prior severe allergic reactions (grade III or IV or grade II not responsive to steroids) to taxanes or medications containing Cremophor EL * No pre-existing grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy * No HIV-positive patients receiving combination antiretroviral therapy * No other concurrent uncontrolled illness * No ongoing or active infection * No psychiatric illness that would preclude study * Prior vaccine therapy allowed * Prior immunotherapy (e.g., interleukin-2 or interferon) allowed * Stratum I: * No prior chemotherapy * Stratum II: * No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens (must have included dacarbazine or temozolomide) * See Disease Characteristics * See Disease Characteristics * Prior limb-perfusion therapy allowed (stratum II) * No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies intended to treat malignancy * No concurrent Hypericum perforatum