BL22 Immunotoxin in Treating Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed chronic lymphocytic leukemia or prolymphocytic leukemia: * Failed prior standard chemotherapy and treatment is medically indicated as evidenced by the following: * Progressive disease-related symptoms * Progressive cytopenias due to marrow involvement * Progressive or painful splenomegaly or adenopathy * Rapidly increasing lymphocytosis * Autoimmune hemolytic anemia or thrombocytopenia * Increased frequency of infections OR * Confirmed CD22+ B-cell indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma * Stages II-IV that have failed at least 1 prior standard therapy and treatment is medically indicated * No patients whose serum neutralizes BL22 or PE38 in tissue culture, due to antitoxin or antimouse-IgG antibodies * No central nervous system disease requiring treatment * If the patient is non-leukemic, the absolute neutrophil count must be greater than 1,000/mm3 and the platelet count greater than 40,000/mm3 PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: * More than 6 months Hematopoietic: * See Disease Characteristics Hepatic: * ALT and AST less than 5 times upper limit of normal Renal: * Adequate renal function Pulmonary: * Adequate pulmonary function Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * HIV negative PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Prior bone marrow transplantation allowed * At least 3 weeks since prior interferon for malignancy Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for malignancy Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for malignancy Surgery: * Not specified Other: * At least 3 weeks since prior retinoids * At least 3 weeks since prior systemic therapy for cancer