Flavopiridol in Treating Patients With Recurrent Intermediate-Grade or High-Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma or Mantle Cell Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and mantle cell lymphoma with clinical or pathological evidence of recurrent disease * Measurable or evaluable disease * CNS metastases not requiring intravenous steroid therapy allowed PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Age: 18 and over * Performance status: CALGB 0-2 * Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1500/mm3 (unless due to bone marrow involvement by lymphoma) * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 (unless due to bone marrow involvement by lymphoma) * At least 7 days since platelet transfusion * Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * Transaminases no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min * No significant uncontrolled medical or psychiatric illness * No active serious infection * Not pregnant or lactating * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Central venous catheter required prior to study entry PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered from all toxic effects Prior chemotherapy must contain anthracycline if intermediate or high-grade NHL other than mantle cell * No concurrent treatment with other chemotherapeutic or investigational antineoplastic drugs * At least 4 weeks since prior radiation therapy and recovered (Site of only measurable disease must not be located within prior radiation therapy port) * No concurrent radiation therapy to any lesion