DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of recurrent or refractory Hodgkin's disease Measurable disease Must have failed the following regimens: Mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) AND Doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) May have undergone either bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplant Must not be eligible for standard treatment (high intensity therapy with peripheral blood stem cell or bone marrow transplant) or higher priority protocol