DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Pathologically proven stage III or IV melanoma at high risk for recurrence following surgical resection The following patients are eligible: Resected satellite or intransit metastasis with no evidence of residual disease OR Resected solitary metastatic lesion(s) with no residual disease OR Metastatic melanoma with measurable disease without noncutaneous lesion(s) greater than 5 cm in diameter OR Stage III disease not eligible for interferon alfa therapy No active CNS disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: BUN less than 30 mg/dL Creatinine less than 2 mg/dL Other: Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception HIV negative No prior or concurrent active peripheral neuropathy No immunodeficiency disorder or immunodeficiency state No other prior or concurrent malignancy, except: Curatively treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer Carcinoma in situ of the cervix No hypersensitivity to GM-CSF, yeast derived products, or any study component

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: At least 6 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen as adjuvant or for metastatic disease No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 2 weeks since prior glucocorticoids No concurrent systemic corticosteroids Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: At least 30 days since other prior investigational drugs No concurrent immunosuppressive therapy (e.g., cimetidine) No concurrent chronic antihistamine therapy