VNP40101M in Treating Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors or Lymphomas

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed advanced and/or metastatic solid tumor or lymphoma for which no curative or standard effective therapy exists Measurable or evaluable metastatic disease No other hematologic malignancy No large pleural, pericardial, or peritoneal effusions No requirement for immediate palliative treatment, including surgery No symptomatic brain metastases or metastases with substantial edema Asymptomatic brain metastases or primary CNS disease allowed if neurologic deficits are stable PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hematocrit at least 30% (transfusion allowed) No active uncontrolled bleeding Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) ALT and AST no greater than 1.5 times ULN (3 times ULN if liver metastases present) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 1.5 times ULN (3 times ULN if liver or bone metastases present) PT and aPTT no greater than 1.5 times ULN Albumin at least 2.5 g/dL Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: Ejection fraction at least 45% No active heart disease No myocardial infarction within the past 3 months No symptomatic coronary artery disease No arrhythmias requiring medication No uncontrolled congestive heart failure Pulmonary: DLCO and FEV_1 at least 60% of predicted No dyspnea with minimal to moderate exertion Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study participation HIV negative No active infection Persistent stable chronic toxic effects from prior therapy allowed if no greater than grade 1 No bleeding diathesis (e.g., active peptic ulcer disease) PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 3 weeks since prior biologic agents and recovered At least 6 months since prior high-dose chemotherapy regimen with stem cell support Chemotherapy: See Biologic therapy At least 3 weeks since prior cytotoxic agents (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered Endocrine therapy: At least 2 weeks since prior hormonal therapy and recovered Radiotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 2 weeks since prior surgery and recovered Other: No other concurrent standard therapy for cancer No other concurrent investigational agents No concurrent disulfiram (Antabuse)