OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and Phase II dose of oral penclomedine in patients with malignancies. II. Determine the toxic effects of oral penclomedine in these patients. III. Determine the pharmacokinetics of oral penclomedine in these patients. IV. Determine the bioavailability of oral penclomedine in these patients.

OUTLINE: Patients enrolled on the bioavailability portion of this study receive one dose of IV penclomedine over 1 hour followed by 2 weeks of rest. At the end of two weeks, they receive oral penclomedine for 5 days every 28 days. The starting dose is determined by a single primary patient who has been administered oral penclomedine and observed for dose limiting toxicity (DLT). [Bioavailability portion completed as of 3/98.] Those not on the bioavailability portion of study start on a standard design dose escalating schedule in which patients enroll in cohorts of 3. Patients are administered oral penclomedine daily for 5 days. This treatment repeats every 4 weeks. The MTD is defined as the dose immediately below that at which 2 patients experience DLT. Treatment repeats for 6 courses or until severe toxicity or tumor progression is observed.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 30 patients will be accrued.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed malignancy (solid tumor or lymphoma) No history of brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: WBC at least 4,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine normal Other: No history of seizure disorder Not pregnant or nursing

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks since nitrosoureas and mitomycin) and recovered Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: Not specified