Epirubicin and Rituximab in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (any grade) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia meeting 1 of the following criteria: * Primary refractory disease * Disease progression after at least 1 but no more than 4 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens * Rituximab administered alone is not considered 1 prior regimen * High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support is considered 1 prior regimen * Bidimensionally measurable or evaluable disease outside prior irradiation port * No clinical evidence of CNS involvement PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm\^3\* * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3\* NOTE: \*Unless due to bone marrow involvement Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal * Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Cardiovascular * No unstable angina * No uncontrolled congestive heart failure * LVEF at least 45% Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study treatment * HIV negative * No other concurrent primary malignancy except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ, or localized solid tumors cured more than 5 years ago * No acute infection requiring systemic therapy * No confusion, disorientation, or major psychiatric illness that would preclude understanding of informed consent PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) * Prior cumulative doxorubicin dose no greater than 6 courses at 50 mg/m\^2 Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * No prior radiotherapy to the entire pelvis * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery * Not specified Other * More than 7 days since prior cimetidine * No concurrent cimetidine