DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed high risk (stage III or IV) indolent or intermediate (stage II to IV) B-cell lymphoma Small cleaved cell lymphoma Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia Follicular small cleaved cell or mixed cell Follicular large cell Diffuse Immunoblastic High risk is defined as: Increased LDH OR Increased beta-2-microglobulin OR B symptoms OR Bulky disease of greater than 7 cm in diameter OR Extranodal disease other than blood or bone marrow involvement OR Mantle zone histology At least 1 lymph node or visceral lesion at least 2 cm in diameter