Interleukin-12 Plus Rituximab in Treating Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed CD20+ B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma No relapsed intermediate or high grade disease eligible for bone marrow or stem cell transplant Intermediate or high grade disease must have received a prior anthracycline containing regimen Low grade disease (with or without prior therapy) felt to be incurable with standard therapy allowed No CNS involvement by lymphoma 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: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 75,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST/ALT less than 3 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Cardiovascular: No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease No history of angina Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception HIV negative No uncontrolled infection No autoimmune related phenomena No peptic ulcer disease

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 12 months since prior rituximab No prior interleukin-12 No other concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior fludarabine or 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine unless CD4 count normal Recovered from prior chemotherapy No concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent steroid therapy Radiotherapy: No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified