DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Newly diagnosed disseminated lymphoblastic lymphoma or localized lymphoblastic lymphoma\*

* Less than 25% tumor cells in the bone marrow
* Previously untreated (prior intrathecal cytarabine allowed if protocol therapy begins within 72 hours)
* Stage III or IV disease
* NOTE: \*Localized lymphoblastic lymphoma is closed to accrual as of 10/2005

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 1 to 30

Performance status:

* Not specified

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* Not specified

Hepatic:

* Not specified

Renal:

* Not specified

Cardiovascular:

* Adequate cardiac function

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* Not specified

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics

Endocrine therapy:

* Emergency steroid therapy (if required) must be started within 72 hours prior to protocol therapy

Radiotherapy:

* Emergency radiotherapy (if required) must be started within 72 hours prior to protocol therapy

Surgery:

* Not specified

Other:

* No other prior therapy except for emergency treatment of airway obstruction and/or superior vena cava syndrome