DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed cutaneous melanoma

  • Clinical evidence of distant, metastatic, nonresectable regional lymphatic, or extensive in-transit recurrent disease
• At least 2 cutaneous lesions amenable to excisional biopsy

• Measurable disease

  • Disease remaining after the first excisional biopsy must be measurable

  • The following are considered non-measurable disease:

    • Bone lesions
    • Leptomeningeal disease
    • Ascites
    • Pleural/pericardial effusion
    • Lymphangitis cutis/pulmonis
    • Abdominal masses that are not confirmed and followed by imaging techniques
    • Cystic lesions
    • Lesions in a previously irradiated area
• No history of brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 and over

Performance status

• ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy

• Not specified

Hematopoietic

• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

Renal

• Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No allergy to azole drugs (e.g., ketoconazole)
• No allergy to compounds of similar structure to tipifarnib

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• No more than 1 prior immunotherapy regimen for advanced melanoma

  • One additional adjuvant immunologic regimen (e.g., interferon alfa) allowed
• More than 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy

Chemotherapy

• No prior chemotherapy for any stage of melanoma

Endocrine therapy

• Not specified

Radiotherapy

• More than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy

Surgery

• See Disease Characteristics

Other

• No antacids (magnesium- or aluminum-containing formulations) within 2 hours of tipifarnib administration