Azacitidine Plus Phenylbutyrate in Treating Patients With Advanced or Metastatic Solid Tumors That Have Not Responded to Previous Treatment

Inclusion criteria: DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed locally advanced or metastatic malignant solid tumor not amenable to curative therapy * Lymphoma allowed * Progressive disease * Evaluable disease * No CNS metastases by CT scan or MRI PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Hemoglobin at least 8 g/dL (may be achieved by transfusion) * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 2 mg/dL (unless due to hemolysis or Gilbert's syndrome) * SGOT and SGPT less than 2 times upper limit of normal Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Other: * No active infection * HIV negative * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception for 2 weeks before, during, and 3 months after study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced or metastatic disease and recovered Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: * Not specified