OBJECTIVES: I. Compare progression-free and overall survival of patients with clinical Stage IA/IIA Hodgkin's disease who have not undergone laparotomy and who are randomized to treatment with subtotal nodal irradiation with vs. without 3 courses of doxorubicin/vinblastine. II. Compare the long-term toxicities associated with these treatments, including cardiopulmonary toxicity, secondary malignancies, and infertility. III. Identify subgroups of patients (based on age, gender, tumor histology, number of disease sites, and presence of high neck presentation) that are particularly responsive to these treatments.