DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically confirmed\* grade 1, 2, or 3 follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma meeting the following criteria:

* Bulky stage II or stage III or IV disease
* Diffuse large cell component must be < 25% of the biopsy
* Confirmed cluster of differentiation antigen 20 (CD20) antigen-positive disease NOTE: \*Needle aspiration or cytology are not considered adequate for pathology review
* Patient must have unilateral or bilateral bone marrow aspirate and biopsy performed within 42 days

* Positive biopsy performed > 42 days but < 6 months allowed
* Previously untreated disease
* Bidimensionally measurable disease
* No clinical evidence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement by lymphoma

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

* Zubrod performance status 0-2
* Cardiac ejection fraction ≥ 45% by multigated acquisition scan (MUGA) or ECHO
* No significant cardiac abnormalities
* No known HIV positivity
* No requirement for continuous supplemental oxygen therapy
* No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer from which the patient is currently in complete remission
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 12 months after completion of maintenance therapy

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

* No prior chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or antibody therapy for lymphoma
* No prior solid organ transplantation