Riluzole in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Melanoma That Can Be Removed by Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed melanoma * Stage III or IV disease * Must have at least two resectable tumors or a tumor large enough to undergo pre-treatment core needle biopsy * Must be eligible for resection of disease with curative or palliative intent PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0 or 1 * ANC ≥ 1,000/mm³ * Platelet count ≥ 50,000/mm³ * AST/ALT ≤ 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Total bilirubin normal * Calculated creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min * INR ≤ 25% of ULN * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 48 hours after completion of study treatment * No history of allergic reaction to riluzole or similar compounds * No known history of hepatitis B or C PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * Not specified