506U78 in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed relapsed or refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma * Large cell transformation of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma allowed * No active CNS disease * Performance status - Zubrod 0-2 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,000/mm\^3\* * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3\* * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN * Creatinine clearance greater than 50 mL/min * No history of symptomatic cardiac dysfunction * No history of pericardial effusion * HIV negative * No grade 2 or greater sensory or motor neuropathy * No history of seizures * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin of carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No medical, psychiatric, or social condition that would preclude study * No other concurrent serious illness or active infection * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No prior stem cell or bone marrow transplantation (BMT) * No more than 1 prior immunotherapy regimen * No more than 3 prior systemic regimens with denileukin diftitox * At least 3 weeks since prior biologic therapy * No concurrent BMT * No prior 506U78 * No more than 3 prior systemic chemotherapy regimens comprising any of the following: * Oral methotrexate * Topical mechlorethamine * At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy * No other concurrent chemotherapy * At least 3 weeks since prior anticancer endocrine therapy * No concurrent topical or systemic steroids * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy * No more than 3 prior systemic regimens comprising any of the following: * Total skin electron beam therapy * Spot radiotherapy * No more than 3 prior systemic regimens comprising any of the following: * Oral retinoids * Ultraviolet therapy (PUVA) * At least 3 weeks since prior anticancer therapy