OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the combination of 41.8 degrees Celsius whole body hyperthermia (WBH) and melphalan (L-PAM) in patients with advanced melanoma. II. Assess the efficacy of this combination of therapy. III. Assess the clinical toxicity of WBH and L-PAM in these patients. IV. Obtain pilot data on the effect of WBH and L-PAM on cytokine induction in these patients.