DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed follicular or diffuse large cell, diffuse mixed, or immunoblastic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (working formulation D, F, G, or H) First relapse from a complete response or complete response unconfirmed after a front line chemotherapy regimen (e.g., CHOP-like regimen) Second relapse from partial response after 2-4 courses of second line standard dose chemotherapy (e.g., MINE, EPOCH, or platinum-containing regimens) No more than 1 salvage treatment regimen No CNS involvement