DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is refractory to standard therapy or has relapsed following initial response Eligible non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: Low grade Intermediate grade Immunoblastic large cell lymphoma (high grade) Eligible for involved field radiotherapy, cyclophosphamide, and total body irradiation No CNS non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Hodgkin's disease A new classification scheme for adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been adopted by PDQ. The terminology of "indolent" or "aggressive" lymphoma will replace the former terminology of "low", "intermediate", or "high" grade lymphoma. However, this protocol uses the former terminology.