DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed AIDS-related non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the intermediate or high grade histologic types Anaplastic large cell lymphoma allowed Must be HIV positive Must have at least one objective measurable or evaluable disease parameter No parenchymal CNS involvement by lymphoma (meningeal lymphoma allowed) A new classification scheme for adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been adopted by PDQ. The terminology of "indolent" or "aggressive" lymphoma will replace the former terminology of "low", "intermediate", or "high" grade lymphoma. However, this protocol uses the former terminology.