DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven Hodgkin's disease Refractory to standard therapy OR Relapsed following initial complete remission Measurable or evaluable disease Hepatic involvement must be histologically proven to be considered sole area of measurable disease If referred following successful induction therapy, measurable or evaluable disease not required No CNS disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Physiologic 65 or under Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance greater than 50 mL/min Cardiovascular: No active heart disease No congestive heart failure No myocardial infarction in the past 3 months No significant arrhythmia requiring medication Ejection fraction normal Pulmonary: No significant nonneoplastic pulmonary disease No chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Diffusing capacity at least 50% predicted OR FEV1 and/or FVC at least 75% predicted (unless due to Hodgkin's disease) Other: Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test No active serious medical condition that would preclude chemotherapy HIV negative No clinical evidence of AIDS

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: See Disease Characteristics