Combination Chemotherapy in Hodgkin's Disease or Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Not Responding to Previous Treatment

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed Hodgkin's disease OR Histologically or cytologically confirmed aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) of B-cell origin (including immunoblastic, anaplastic large cell, mediastinal large B-cell, or T-cell rich B-cell NHL) No prior diagnosis of low-grade NHL No histologic evidence of transformation from indolent to aggressive histology Bidimensionally measurable disease that is clinically or radiologically documented Bone lesions not considered bidimensionally measurable Lymph nodes at least 1.5 cm by 1.5 cm OR Other non-nodal lesions at least 1 cm by 1 cm Recurrent or refractory to 1 prior chemotherapy regimen (excluding gemcitabine and cisplatin) No known CNS involvement NOTE: 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: 16 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST or ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine less than 1.6 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No significant cardiac dysfunction or cardiovascular disease Other: HIV negative No other concurrent or prior malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No other serious illness or medical condition that would preclude study No active uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, or viral infection Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior stem cell transplantation No concurrent monoclonal antibody therapy No concurrent growth factors during the first course of study Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior IV chemotherapy No prior cisplatin or gemcitabine No prior high-dose chemotherapy No other concurrent cytotoxic therapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent corticosteroids, except for physiologic replacement Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to more than 25% of functioning bone marrow At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: At least 2 weeks since prior major surgery Other: No other concurrent anti-cancer therapy or experimental therapy