OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the efficacy of high-dose cyclophosphamide/etoposide/cisplatin in patients with intermediate- or high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who have failed primary combination chemotherapy but still respond to conventional-dose DHAP (dexamethasone/cytarabine/cisplatin) and are not candidates for bone marrow transplantation. II. Determine the toxicity of the intensification chemotherapy regimen in this group of patients.
OUTLINE: Nonrandomized study. 3-Drug Combination Chemotherapy. CVP: Cyclophosphamide, CTX, NSC-26271; Etoposide, VP-16, NSC-141540; Cisplatin, CDDP, NSC-119875.
PROJECTED ACCRUAL: If at least 1 CR is seen in the first 6 patients, an estimated maximum of 20 patients will be enrolled. If 3 or more of the first 10 patients (or 25% of the study population thereafter) die within the first 35 days of treatment from causes unrelated to tumor progression, the study will be terminated.
