Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

- Working formulation low-, intermediate-, and high-grade histologies eligible

- Mantle cell and marginal zone lymphoma eligible

- Relapse after at least 1 doxorubicin-containing regimen required

- No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens

- One prior biologic therapy in addition to the 2 prior chemotherapy regimens allowed

- No prior bone marrow transplantation

- Ineligible for treatment on higher priority protocols

- Patients eligible for bone marrow transplantation may be treated to reduce tumor bulk

- Bidimensionally measurable disease required

- No history of primary or metastatic CNS disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Age: Any age

- Performance status: Zubrod 0-2

- Life expectancy: Greater than 12 weeks

- Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.8 mg/dL

- Transaminases no greater than 2.5 times normal

- Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance greater than 70 mL/min

- No HIV antibody

- No serious intercurrent illness

- No pregnant or nursing women

- Effective contraception required of fertile patients throughout study and for 1 year
thereafter

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

-At least 4 weeks since prior therapy (6 weeks since mitomycin) and recovered