DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically proven stage II, III, or IV mantle cell lymphoma that is not curable by surgery, radiotherapy, and/or chemotherapy
• Measurable tumor of greater than 2 cm in largest diameter for lymph nodes located in head, neck, axillary, inguinal, and femoral areas (at least 1 cm for other areas)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

• At least 2 months

Hematopoietic:

• WBC greater than 2000/mm^3
• Platelet count greater than 20,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• No hepatic insufficiency
• Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
• SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL
• No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium

Cardiovascular:

• No hypertension
• No history of congestive heart failure
• No history of 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 participation
• No serious active infections requiring treatment

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered
• No concurrent immunomodulatory agent (e.g., interferon or interleukin-2)

Chemotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered
• No concurrent antineoplastic agent

Endocrine therapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone or prednisone)
• No concurrent dexamethasone, prednisone, or other corticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

• At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• No prior antineoplaston therapy
• No concurrent antibiotics, antifungals, or antivirals