DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (low, intermediate, or high grade categories) Must have been treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy with evidence of minimal residual disease by conventional diagnostic modalities 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: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: BUN no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Other: No known allergies to mouse proteins No second primary malignancy within past 5 years other than adequately treated in situ carcinoma of the cervix or uterus, or basal or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin Not pregnant or nursing Effective contraception required of all fertile patients

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior exposure to mouse antibodies other than LymphoScan Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Surgery: Not specified Other: At least 1 month since any other prior investigational therapy No concurrent participation in another protocol involving medical devices or investigational agents