DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically confirmed* Hodgkin lymphoma

  • Clinical stage IA, IB, IIA, or IIB disease according to the modified Ann Arbor Staging Classification system
  • Subclassified according to the WHO modification of the Rye Classification
  • "E" extension allowed provided all other criteria have been met NOTE: *Pathology materials must be submitted within 60 days of study registration. Core-needle biopsies are acceptable provided they contain adequate tissue for primary diagnosis and immunophenotyping. Fine-needle aspirates not allowed. If multiple specimens are available, submit the most recent.
• No nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma
• No mediastinal mass > 0.33 maximum intrathoracic diameter by standing postero-anterior chest x-ray or peripheral or retroperitoneal adenopathy > 10 cm in its largest diameter

• Measurable disease by physical examination or imaging studies

  • Any tumor mass measurable in two dimensions and > 1 cm (or 1.5 cm if 0.5 cm slices are used, as in spiral CT scans) allowed

  • Lesions that are considered intrinsically non-measurable include:

    • Bone lesions
    • Leptomeningeal disease
    • Ascites
    • Pleural/pericardial effusion
    • Lymphangitis cutis/pulmonis
    • Abdominal masses that are not confirmed and followed by imaging techniques
    • Cystic lesions
    • Lesions that are situated in a previously irradiated area

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Performance status 0-2
• ANC ≥ 1,000/μL
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/μL
• Serum creatinine ≤ 2 mg/dL
• Bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL
• AST ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal
• LVEF normal by ECHO or MUGA
• DLCO ≥ 60% with no symptomatic pulmonary disease
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

• Patients with known HIV allowed provided they have CD4 counts ≥ 350/mcL

  • Patients must not have multi-drug resistant HIV infections (i.e., concurrent AIDS-defining conditions)
  • An HIV test is required for patients with a history of IV drug abuse or any behavior associated with an increased risk of HIVinfection

• No "currently active" second malignancy other than nonmelanoma skin cancers

  • Patients are not considered to have a "currently active" malignancy provided they have completed therapy and are considered by their physician to be at < 30% risk of relapse

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics

• No prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma

  • 1 course of ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine) allowed and will be considered the first course