DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of one of the following histologies: Follicular, predominantly large cell Diffuse, small cleaved cell Diffuse mixed, small and large cell Diffuse, large cell (cleaved or noncleaved) Immunoblastic, large cell Small noncleaved cell, Burkitt's or non-Burkitt's No lymphoblastic lymphoma Prior diagnosis of AIDS or HIV positivity required Confirmation of HIV antibody status by Western blot mandatory Bidimensionally measurable or evaluable disease No primary CNS lymphoma Concurrent registration on protocol SWOG-8947 (central serum repository) required