DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven Hodgkin's disease OR Histologically proven non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) Intermediate grade OR Large cell immunoblastic (high grade) Refractory to standard therapy or relapsed following initial complete remission Must have received radiotherapy to the extent that no longer eligible for involved field radiation, cyclophosphamide, or total body irradiation No CNS disease 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.