 In this Phase II trial, chemotherapy-naïve patients with palpable Stage III or Stage IV M1a melanoma scheduled to undergo surgical resection will be treated with TMZ in 8 week cycles according to the extended dosing schedule of 75mgm2day x 6 weeks with 2 weeks off. Patients will be treated until maximal response to TMZ and then undergo resection of residual disease. The primary endpoint will be tumor response as measured by the RECIST criteria. Patients will be seen monthly. 