OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the efficacy of interferon alfa-2b in reducing the relapse rate in patients with recurrent or refractory Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in second remission following high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. II. Compare the time to disease progression and survival in this patient population treated with interferon alfa-2b vs no further treatment. III. Assess the tolerability of these treatment regimens in these patients.