DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically proven stage II, III, or IV intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that has not responded to or has relapsed after a standard primary chemotherapy regimen plus at least 1 standard second-line salvage chemotherapy regimen 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:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

• At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

• WBC greater than 2000/mm^3
• Platelet count greater than 50,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
• No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Cardiovascular:

• No uncontrolled hypertension
• No history of congestive heart failure
• No history of cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation
• No serious infection requiring treatment

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent immunomodulatory agent (e.g., interferon or interleukin-2)

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered
• No concurrent antineoplastic agents

Endocrine therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior dexamethasone, prednisone, or other corticosteroids
• No concurrent corticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

• At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• Prior cytodifferentiation therapy allowed
• No prior antineoplaston therapy
• No concurrent antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals