Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Biopsy-proven rhabdomyosarcoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, or other
solid tumor refractory to conventional therapy or for which no effective curative therapy
is known Re-biopsy required if disease recurs more than 2 years after initial diagnosis
recommended if radiographic abnormalities suggest tumor recurrence within 5 months of
completing radiotherapy or chemotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 21 and under at diagnosis Performance status: Karnofsky
50%-100% Life expectancy: More than 4 weeks Hematopoietic: (unless extensive bone marrow
involvement) ANC greater than 750 Platelets greater than 75,000 Hepatic: Not specified
Renal: Creatinine normal for age OR Glomerular filtration rate at least 50 mL/min per 1.73
square meters Other: Adequate nutritional status No serious uncontrolled infection No
pregnant or nursing women

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: At least 2 weeks since other anticancer therapy and recovered
Prior radiotherapy or surgery for symptomatic lesions allowed provided site of evaluable
disease remains untreated Prior bone marrow or stem cell transplantation allowed No
concurrent anticancer therapy