506U78 in Treating Patients With Lymphoma

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the complete and partial remission rates and remission duration in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma or refractory or relapsed noncutaneous peripheral T-cell lymphoma treated with 506U78. II. Determine the safety and toxicity of this treatment regimen in this patient population. OUTLINE: Patients receive 506U78 IV over 2 hours on days 1, 3, and 5. Treatment repeats every 3 weeks for at least 2 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients achieving complete response receive up to 8 courses of therapy. Patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year and then every 6 months for 1 year or until relapse. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 34-74 patients will be accrued for this study within 3 years.