OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate prospectively the health status and quality of life of patients with Stage I/IIA Hodgkin's disease randomized on protocol SWOG-9133 (CLB-9391) to treatment with subtotal nodal irradiation with vs. without 3 courses of doxorubicin/vinblastine. II. Describe the short-term effects of these treatments on these patients and compare their impact on quality of life (i.e., patient symptom status, health status, fatigue). III. Evaluate the intermediate and long-term effects of these treatments on these patients and compare their impact on quality-of-life outcomes over 5 years.