DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed relapsed or refractory Hodgkin's disease Relapsed after prior first line treatment with at least 2 regimens, such as: Mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (MOPP) Doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (ABVD) MOPP/ABV Stanford 5 OR Refractory to a second line regimen, such as: Mesna, ifosfamide, mitoxantrone, and etoposide (MINE) Etoposide, methylprednisolone, high dose cytarabine, and cisplatin (ESHAP) High dose chemotherapy and autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation At least 1 measurable lesion