Bexarotene and Interferon Alfa in Treating Patients With Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed cutaneous T-cell lymphoma Stage IB, IIA, IIB, III, or IV Measurable or assessable disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL WBC at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 70,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL SGOT and SGPT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times ULN Fasting triglyceride normal (normalization with an antilipemic agent is allowed prior to study) No severe decompensated liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, or any other significant liver dysfunction) Renal: Calcium no greater than 11.5 mg/dL Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Cardiovascular: No myocardial infarction in the past 6 months No unstable angina No class III or IV congestive heart failure No ventricular tachyarrhythmias Pulmonary: No pulmonary infiltrates or clinical pulmonary impairment Other: HIV negative Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use 2 forms of effective contraception for 1 month before, during, and for 1 month after study therapy No known allergy or sensitivity to interferon alfa or bexarotene or other components of study drugs No uncontrolled thyroid disorder No other concurrent serious medical illness that would preclude study No infection No history of pancreatitis No history of neuropsychiatric disorders requiring hospitalization No history of autoimmune disease that would pose significant risk Must be willing and able to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun or ultraviolet light PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No concurrent systemic anticancer chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent systemic corticosteroids Radiotherapy: No concurrent localized radiotherapy to target lesions unless considered to have shown progressive disease Surgery: Not specified Other: At least 30 days since prior systemic doses of more than 15,000 IU per day of vitamin A or any other retinoid class drug At least 30 days since prior participation in any other investigational drug study No concurrent systemic anti-psoriatic drugs or therapies No concurrent systemic other anticancer drugs or therapies No concurrent gemfibrozil No other concurrent investigational medication