Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory Intermediate-Grade or High-Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed recurrent or refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of one of the following subtypes: * Follicular center lymphoma, grade 3 * Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma * Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma * Burkitt's lymphoma * High grade B-cell lymphoma, Burkitt-like * Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, CD30+ cell type * Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, T-cell type * Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, null-cell type * Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Hodgkin's like * Bidimensionally measurable disease NOTE: A new classification scheme for adult non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been adopted by PDQ. The terminology of "indolent" or "aggressive" lymphoma will replace the former terminology of "low", "intermediate", or "high" grade lymphoma. However, this protocol uses the former terminology. PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Any age Performance status: * Not specified Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL history of Gilbert's Disease * AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: * Creatinine normal Cardiovascular: * LVEF at least 45% by MUGA or echocardiogram Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * Greater than 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks since prior nitrosoureas or mitomycin) * No greater than 96 mg/m2 mitoxantrone * No greater than 400 mg/m2 prior doxorubicin or combined total doxorubicin and mitoxantrone * No prior camptothecins * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * No concurrent hormonal therapy except steroids for adrenal failure or hormones given for nondisease conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes) * No concurrent dexamethasone or other steroidal antiemetics Radiotherapy: * Greater than 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy * No concurrent radiotherapy except whole brain irradiation for documented CNS disease Surgery: * Not specified