OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the one year survival and complete response rate of patients treated with doxorubicin HCl liposome/cyclophosphamide/vincristine/prednisone (Doxil-CVP) for AIDS-related lymphoma. II. Evaluate the toxicity of a combination chemotherapy regimen, Doxil-CVP, in this patient population. III. Evaluate the progression free and overall survival after treatment with Doxil-CVP in this patient population. IV. Evaluate the effects of treatment with Doxil-CVP on plasma viral mRNA levels, CD4+ lymphocyte count, and the incidences and types of opportunistic infections in this patient population.