DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• One of the following diagnoses:

  • Histologically proven recurrent non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

    • Previously in complete remission (CR)

  • Refractory or recurrent intermediate-grade lymphoma (IGL) or high-grade immunoblastic lymphoma (IBL) meeting 1 of the following conditions:

    • In partial remission (PR) or CR to and currently enrolled on the MSKCC standard dose salvage regimen with ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE)

    • In PR or CR after 1-2 other salvage chemotherapy regimens (e.g., 3 courses of dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin (DHAP); 2 courses of cyclophosphamide, mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, and prednisone (C-MOPP))

      • No prior ifosfamide

  • Low-grade lymphoma

    • In second or greater remission or chemosensitive relapse
    • No HLA identical sibling donor available

  • IGL or IBL

    • In first CR
    • Poor prognosis, defined by age-adjusted international index of 3 or 4 based on lactic dehydrogenase, number of extranodal sites, stage, and performance status
• Adequate bone marrow cellularity
• No lymphoblastic or small noncleaved cell lymphoma
• Ineligible for total body irradiation (TBI) phase of study if prior radiotherapy dose precludes the use of TBI 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:

• Physiologic 18 to 65

Performance status:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Not specified

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL (if no history of Gilbert's disease)
• No chronic active or persistent hepatitis

• Hepatitis B positivity allowed provided that the following conditions are met:

  • Bilirubin same as above*
  • SGPT no greater than 500 IU/L*
  • Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times normal* NOTE: * In the absence of liver involvement by lymphoma

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• No history of chronic renal insufficiency

Cardiovascular:

• LVEF at least 50% by echocardiogram or MUGA scan
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No unstable angina
• No arrhythmia other than chronic atrial fibrillation

Pulmonary:

• DLCO at least 50% predicted (corrected for hemoglobin and alveolar ventilation)

Other:

• HIV negative
• No uncontrolled infection
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• Not specified

Chemotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics

Endocrine therapy

• Not specified

Radiotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics

Surgery

• Not specified