Combination Chemotherapy Plus Filgrastim With or Without Rituximab in Treating Older Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) Low- or high-intermediate or high-risk lymphoma of any of the following subtypes: Mantle cell lymphoma Follicular lymphoma (grade III) Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma CD20-positive No suspected or documented CNS involvement by NHL 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: 65 and over Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.75 mg/dL* Transaminases less than 2.5 times normal* NOTE: * Unless due to NHL Renal: Creatinine less than 1.7 mg/dL (unless due to NHL) Cardiovascular: No severe cardiac dysfunction No New York Heart Association class II-IV heart disease LVEF at least 45% Pulmonary: No uncontrolled asthma requiring steroid treatment Other: HIV negative No intolerance to exogenous protein administration No active, uncontrolled infection No uncontrolled allergy requiring steroid treatment No other malignancy within the past 5 years except basal cell skin cancer or stage 0 cervical cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior immunotherapy for NHL Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for NHL Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy for NHL except local radiotherapy for potential organ dysfunction by localized lymphoma mass or infiltration Concurrent local radiotherapy for potential or actual organ dysfunction by localized lymphoma mass or infiltration allowed Surgery: Not specified