DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed cutaneous or mucosal melanoma or renal cell carcinoma

  • Unresectable disease

• No known uncontrolled CNS metastases

  • CNS metastases allowed only if recently irradiated or known to be controlled

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL
• WBC at least 3,000/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
• Absolute lymphocyte count at least 1,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Total bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR
• Conjugated bilirubin no greater than 0.3 mg/dL
• AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 2 mg/dL

Cardiovascular:

• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No uncontrolled hypertension, angina, or congestive heart failure

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study
• No known intolerance to acetaminophen
• No primary or secondary immunodeficiency
• No other condition that would preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• Not specified

Endocrine therapy:

• At least 1 month since prior topical, systemic, or inhaled corticosteroids
• No concurrent topical, systemic, or inhaled corticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics

Surgery:

• Not specified