Vaccine Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage IIIB, Stage IIIC, or Stage IV Melanoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of stage IIIB, IIIC, or IV melanoma * HLA-DR1, -DR4, -DR11, -DR13, or -DR15 positive * Brain metastases allowed at the discretion of the principle investigator PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count \> 1,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count \> 100,000/mm \^3 * Hemoglobin \> 9 g/dL Hepatic * Liver function tests ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular * No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Other * Prior diagnosis of other cancer allowed * Not pregnant or nursing * Weight ≥ 110 pounds * No uncontrolled diabetes PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * More than 4 weeks since prior growth factors * More than 4 weeks since prior allergy shots * More than 12 weeks since prior melanoma vaccine therapy\* NOTE: \*Prior melanoma vaccine allowed only for patients with disease progression during or after administration of the vaccine * No prior vaccination with any of the peptides used in this study Chemotherapy * More than 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * More than 4 weeks since prior steroids Radiotherapy * More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery * Not specified Other * More than 1 month since prior investigational drugs or therapies * No other concurrent investigational drugs or therapies