Comparison of Two Combination Chemotherapy Regimens in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed Hodgkin's lymphoma * No lymphocyte predominant, nodular type (nodular paragranuloma) * Clinical stage III or IV disease * At least 1 bidimensionally measurable target lesion or extranodal lesion * International Prognostic Score of at least 3 PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 16 to 60 Performance status * WHO 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * WBC greater than 2,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * No prior uncontrolled hepatitis B viral infection * Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 times normal (unless due to Hodgkin's lymphoma) Renal * Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL (unless due to Hodgkin's lymphoma) Cardiovascular * No severe cardiac disease that would limit normal life expectancy or preclude study * LVEF at least 50% Pulmonary * No severe pulmonary disease that would limit normal life expectancy or preclude study * Respiratory function at least 30% Other * HIV negative * HTLV1 negative * No severe active infection * No severe neurological or metabolic disease that would limit normal life expectancy or preclude study * No other prior or concurrent malignancy except basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified C…