PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 19 and over Performance status: WHO 0-2 Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: At least 6 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm3 (unless due to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) bone marrow involvement) Hepatic: Unless due to NHL: Bilirubin less than 3.0 mg/dL Alkaline phosphatase less than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT less than 3 times ULN Renal: Not specified Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception HIV negative No other serious disease or medical condition that would interfere with compliance