DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically proven stage II, III, or IV low grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is unlikely to respond to existing therapy or for which no established therapy exists 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:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

• At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

• WBC greater than 2,000/mm^3
• Platelet count greater than 20,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin normal

Renal:

• Creatinine normal
• No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Cardiovascular:

• No hypertension
• No history of congestive heart failure
• No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study
• No serious active infections

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since immunotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent immunomodulating agents (e.g., interferon, interleukin-2)

Chemotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered

Endocrine therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior corticosteroids
• No concurrent corticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

• At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• No prior antineoplaston therapy
• No other concurrent antineoplastic agents
• No concurrent antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals