OBJECTIVES: I. Assess the efficacy of bryostatin 1 administered as a 72-hour infusion in patients with relapsed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. II. Gain information regarding the toxicity and tolerability of escalated vincristine doses given after each bryostatin 1 infusion in cohorts of patients who fail to respond to bryostatin alone. III. Determine the qualitative and quantitative toxic effects of bryostatin 1 in these patients. IV. Determine the duration of response and survival following treatment with bryostatin 1.