Antibody Therapy in Treating Patients With Refractory or Relapsed Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of CD19+ non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia Primary refractory or multiply relapsed (after at least 2 prior chemotherapy regimens) disease Ineligible for bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: More than 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 3,000/mm^3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL Alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times normal SGPT less than 2 times normal Renal: Creatinine clearance greater than 50 mL/min Other: No human-anti-murine-antibody response to prior murine monoclonal antibodies No immunological or inflammatory disease (e.g., lupus erythematosus) No active serious infection No other serious medical condition that would limit survival to less than 2 years No other active malignancy except non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No psychiatric or addictive disorder that would preclude study Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Prior immunotherapy allowed Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Concurrent steroids for adrenal failure or adverse reactions to study drug allowed Concurrent hormonal therapy for non-disease related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes) allowed Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery: Not specified