Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of recurrent or refractory Hodgkin's disease Measurable
disease Must have failed the following regimens: Mechlorethamine, vincristine,
procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) AND Doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and
dacarbazine (ABVD) May have undergone either bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell
transplant Must not be eligible for standard treatment (high intensity therapy with
peripheral blood stem cell or bone marrow transplant) or higher priority protocol

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy:
At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) at least 1,000/mm3 (at
least 500/mm3 if extensive bone marrow involvement) Platelets at least 75,000/mm3 (at
least 50,000/mm3 if extensive bone marrow involvement) Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5
mg/dL ALT and AST less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater
than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Other: Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 2 months after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics Chemotherapy: See
Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (8 weeks since mitomycin
or nitrosoureas) and recovered Endocrine therapy: No concurrent steroids Radiotherapy: At
least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified