Levofloxacin to Prevent Infection Following Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Solid Tumors or Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of solid tumor, including but not limited to, the following: * Stage II-IV germ cell malignancy * Small cell lung cancer * Recurrent breast cancer OR * Diagnosis of lymphoma * About to start a program of antineoplastic chemotherapy for malignant disease that will regularly induce myelosuppression with a risk of temporary severe neutropenia (i.e., neutrophil count less than 500/mm3), but does not routinely require filgrastim (G-CSF) or stem cell support * Not previously randomized into the Significant trial for a different multicourse chemotherapy program * Hormone receptor status: * Not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 16 and over Sex: * Not specified Menopausal status: * Not specified Performance status: * Not specified Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * See Disease Characteristics Hepatic: * Not specified Renal: * Creatinine normal OR * Creatinine clearance greater than 40 mL/min Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception in addition to oral contraceptive pills * HIV negative * No epilepsy * No history of adverse events resulting from fluoroquinolone therapy (e.g., allergy or tendinitis) * No concurrent use of a sunbed or exposure to strong sunlight PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * See Disease Characteristics Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * Not specified Surg…