Epirubicin and Rituximab in Treating Patients With Relapsed or Refractory B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (any grade) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia meeting 1 of the following criteria: Primary refractory disease Disease progression after at least 1 but no more than 4 prior cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens Rituximab administered alone is not considered 1 prior regimen High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support is considered 1 prior regimen Bidimensionally measurable or evaluable disease outside prior irradiation port No clinical evidence of CNS involvement PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm^3* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3* NOTE: *Unless due to bone marrow involvement Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Cardiovascular No unstable angina No uncontrolled congestive heart failure LVEF at least 45% Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study treatment HIV negative No other concurrent primary malignancy except basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ, or localized solid tumors cured more than 5 years ago No acute infection requiring systemic therapy No confusion, disorientation, or major psychiatric illness that would preclude understanding of informed consent PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior biologic therapy Chemotherapy See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) Prior cumulative doxorubicin dose no greater than 6 courses at 50 mg/m^2 Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy See Disease Characteristics No prior radiotherapy to the entire pelvis At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery Not specified Other More than 7 days since prior cimetidine No concurrent cimetidine