RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop cancer cells from dividing so they stop growing or die.

PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of vinorelbine in treating patients who have stage IV melanoma that has been previously treated.

OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the response rate (complete or partial) of patients with disseminated stage IV melanoma treated with vinorelbine. II. Assess the qualitative and quantitative toxic effects of vinorelbine in these patients.

OUTLINE: Patients receive vinorelbine by IV over 6 to 10 minutes weekly. Treatment continues in the absence of disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or complete response to therapy. Patients are followed every 3 months for 2 years and every 6 months thereafter.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 20-40 patients will be accrued for this study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed, pathologically verified, disseminated stage IV melanoma that is surgically incurable Any T, any N, M1a or M1b Must have received at least one prior chemotherapy, biologic/immunotherapy, or combination regimen for metastatic disease At least 4 weeks since prior systemic therapy Bidimensionally measurable disease by physical exam, CT scan, radionuclide scan, or plain x-ray outside previously irradiated area No brain metastases by MRI or CT scan (except completely resected brain tumors that have undergone whole brain radiotherapy)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: SWOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: HIV negative Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years, except: Adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer Adequately treated stage I or II cancer Carcinoma in situ of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior adjuvant biologic or immunotherapy Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior adjuvant chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: At least 4 weeks since prior surgery