DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia No more than 2 prior courses of therapy No requirement for chemotherapy or steroid therapy for 90 days in previously untreated patients with slowly progressive disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 6 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,000/mm3 Platelet count greater than 25,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT less than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine less than 2.5 times ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study No serious concurrent disease No concurrent uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, or viral infection No active second malignancy

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 30 days since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 30 days since prior steroid therapy Radiotherapy: At least 30 days since prior radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified