Flavopiridol in Treating Patients With Recurrent Intermediate-Grade or High-Grade Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma or Mantle Cell Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed intermediate or high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and mantle cell lymphoma with clinical or pathological evidence of recurrent disease Measurable or evaluable disease CNS metastases not requiring intravenous steroid therapy allowed PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: CALGB 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Absolute neutrophil count at least 1500/mm3 (unless due to bone marrow involvement by lymphoma) Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 (unless due to bone marrow involvement by lymphoma) At least 7 days since platelet transfusion Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Transaminases no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min No significant uncontrolled medical or psychiatric illness No active serious infection Not pregnant or lactating Fertile patients must use effective contraception Central venous catheter required prior to study entry PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered from all toxic effects Prior chemotherapy must contain anthracycline if intermediate or high-grade NHL other than mantle cell No concurrent treatment with other chemotherapeutic or investigational antineoplastic drugs At least 4 weeks since prior radiation therapy and recovered (Site of only measurable disease must not be located within prior radiation therapy port) No concurrent radiation therapy to any lesion