Liposomal Doxorubicin in Treating Patients With Stage IIB, Stage IVA, or Stage IVB Recurrent or Refractory Mycosis Fungoides

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed mycosis fungoides * Stage IIB, IVA, or IVB * Refractory or recurrent disease after at least 2 of the following prior therapies: * Local and/or systemic steroids * Retinoids * Interferon alfa * Local carmustine * Systemic chemotherapy * Psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA) light therapy * No CNS involvement * No erythroderma (T4) PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * Over 18 Performance status * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * WBC at least 2,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 75,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular * LVEF normal by echocardiography or radionuclide angiocardiography Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 2 years after study participation * No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study compliance or follow-up * No active infection requiring specific therapy (e.g., antibiotics or anti-HIV therapy) * No other prior or concurrent primary malignant tumor except adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or squamous cell or basal cell skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic ther…