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

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed primary melanoma of cutaneous origin * Stage II (T3 N0 M0 1.5-4.0mm Breslow depth * Clinically negative regional lymph node pathologic status unkown OR * Histologically negative regional lymph nodes * Stage III (T4 N0 M0) * Greater than 4.0mm 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 1.01-2.0mm with ulceration, node negative * T3a-b N0 primary melanoma 2.01-4.0mm with and without ulceration, node negative * T4a-b N0 primary melanoma \> 4.0mm with and without ulceration, node negative * T1aN1a-2a (microscopic)-primary melanoma of any thickness with microscopically positive lymph node (any number) * Note EORTC patients who are node negative T2 or T3 are ineligible * Patients with 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 the study within 84 days of wide excision * No clinical, radiological/laboratory, or pathological evidence of incompletely resected melanoma or any distant metastatic disease * No clinically palpable lymphadenopathy Age: * 18 and over Performance Status: * ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic * WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 125,000/mm\^3 * Hematocrit at least 30% Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST, LDH, and Alkaline phosphate no greater than 2 times ULN * If lactate dehydrogenase or alkaline phosphate is above normal, a contrast enhanced CT scan or MRI of the liver is required to document the absence of tumor Renal: * BUN no greater than 33mg/dl OR * Creatinine no greater than 1.8mg/dl Cardiovascular: * No history of active ischemic heart disease * No cerebrovascular disease * No congestive heart failure(New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease) Exclusion Criteria: Biologic Therapy: * No prior immunotherapy including tumor vaccines, interferon, interleukins,levamisole, or other biologic response modifers for melanoma Chemotherapy * No prior or concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine Therapy * No concurrent systemic corticosteriods including oral steriods (i.e., prednisone, dexamethasone), topical steroid creams or ointments, or any steriod-containing inhalers. Radiotherapy: * No Prior or concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: * See Disease characteristics Other: * No other concurrent immunosuppressive medications * No other history of invasive melanoma * No autoimmune disorders or conditions of immunosuppression * No other concurrent or prior malignancies within past 5 years * Cancer in situ * Lobular carcinoma in situ of breast * Carcinoma in situ of the cervix * Atypical melanocytic hyperplasia or Clark 1 melanoma in situ * Basal or squamous cell skin cancer * No evidence of organic brain syndrome or significant impairment of basal cognitive function or any psychiatric disorder that would preclude study participation * No other significant medical or surgical condition, or any medication or treatment regimens, that would interfere with study participation. * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study