Rebeccamycin Analogue in Treating Children With Solid Tumors or Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed solid tumors * Neuroblastoma * Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET)(Ewing's sarcoma closed to accrual as of 5/19/03) * Osteosarcoma (closed to accrual as of 5/19/03) * Rhabdomyosarcoma * Other extracranial solid tumors * CNS/brain tumors: * Medulloblastoma/PNET * Ependymoma * Brainstem glioma * Other CNS tumors * Histological verification may be waived for brainstem glioma and classic optic glioma, but biopsy recommended OR * Histologically or cytologically proven non-Hodgkin's lymphoma * Refractory to standard treatment and no curative therapy available * Measurable disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 21 and under at time of original diagnosis Performance status: * Karnofsky 50-100% in patients over 10 years of age * Lansky 50-100% in patients age 10 and under Life expectancy: * At least 8 weeks Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count greater than 75,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin greater than 8.0 g/dL Hepatic: * Bilirubin normal for age * SGPT less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Amylase normal * Lipase normal Renal: * Creatinine normal for age OR * Glomerular filtration rate at least 60 mL/min Other: * No concurrent uncontrolled infection * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Recovered from prior immunotherapy Chemotherapy: * At least 6 weeks since prior nitrosourea and recovered * Recovered from any other prior chemotherapy * No more than two prior chemotherapy regimens Endocrine therapy: * CNS tumor patients receiving dexamethasone must be on stable or decreasing dose at least 2 weeks prior to study entry Radiotherapy: * At least 6 weeks since prior extended radiotherapy and recovered * No prior total body irradiation Surgery: * Prior radiosurgery allowed Other: * No concurrent use of the following foods or medications: * Grapefruit juice * Erythromycin * Azithromycin * Clarithromycin * Rifampin and analogues * Fluconazole * Ketoconazole * Itraconazole * Cimetidine * Cannabinoids (marijuana or dronabinol) * Leukotriene inhibitors (e.g., zafirlukast and zileuton) * No other concurrent anticancer or investigational agents