Early Hospital Discharge or Standard Inpatient Care in Cancer Patients Receiving Antibiotics for Febrile Neutropenia

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of solid tumor or lymphoma AND meets the following criteria: * Low-risk patient, defined as Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer prognostic index score ≥ 21 * Presents with neutropenic fever defined as follows: * Absolute neutrophil count ≤ 500/mm³ OR \< 1,000/mm³ but anticipated to fall to ≤ 500/mm³ within 24 hours of study entry * Temperature ≥ 38.5°C on a single measurement or ≥ 38.0°C on \> 1 occasion (one of which could be measured by the patient prior to admission) ≥ 1 hour apart * Undergoing concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy for treatment of solid tumors or lymphoma * No leukemia PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Compliant and appropriate for early discharge * Able to read a thermometer (patient or caregiver) * Able to tolerate oral medication * Must have a responsible adult caregiver if eligible for early discharge * No known allergy to oral antibiotics or penicillin * No requirement for IV fluid support * No central venous catheter-associated infection or evidence of infection not amenable to treatment by study antibiotics * No neutropenic fever at high risk of complications * No associated comorbidity that requires hospitalization and management * No known HIV positivity PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior participation in this study for neutropenic episode * No prior bone marrow transplantation or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation * No prior treatment for l…