Combination Chemotherapy Plus Rituximab in Treating Patients With Intermediate-Grade or High-Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Stage II, III, or IV disease B-cell where lymphoid cells are CD20 or CD19 positive No mantle cell, lymphoblastic, or peripheral T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Measurable or evaluable disease No prior treatment for lymphoma No known CNS metastases 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 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Unless documented bone marrow disease: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: SGOT and SGPT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No history of severe heart disease, cardiomyopathy, or congestive heart failure LVEF normal by MUGA or echocardiogram Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No active infection as defined by: Clinical syndrome consistent with a viral or bacterial infection (e.g., influenza, upper respiratory infection, urinary tract infection) OR Fever with a clinical site of infection identified OR Microbiologically documented infection, including, but not limited to, bacteremia or septicemia No known HIV positivity No known sensitivity to E. coli derivatives (e.g., asparaginase, human insulin, human growth hormone, interferon alfa-2b) No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except surgically cured basal or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No psychiatric, addictive, or other disorder that may preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent biologic therapy except epoetin alfa No white blood cell transfusions Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 2 weeks since prior major surgery Other: No other concurrent investigational therapy No prophylactic antibiotics