Rituximab, Gemcitabine, and Vinorelbine in Treating Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma That Has Relapsed or Not Responded to Treatment

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Pathologically confirmed classical Hodgkin lymphoma, including 1 of the following cell types: * Nodular sclerosis * Mixed cellularity * Lymphocyte-rich * Lymphocyte-depleted * Measurable disease using the Cheson criteria, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 2.0 cm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 1.0 cm by spiral CT scan * Progressive or relapsed disease after ≥ 1 prior line of combination chemotherapy * No known CNS metastasis PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-1 * ANC \> 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count \> 75,000/mm\^3 * Total bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL (unless due to hemolysis) * AST or ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal * Creatinine normal OR creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No active hepatitis B infection * No known chronic hepatitis B carrier * No HIV positivity * No concurrent uncontrolled illness including, but not limited to, any of the following: * Symptomatic neurological illness * Active uncontrolled systemic infection considered opportunistic, life-threatening, or clinically significant at the time of study treatment * Symptomatic congestive heart failure * Unstable angina pectoris * Cardiac arrhythmia * Significant pulmonary disease or hypoxia * Psychiatric illness or social situation that would limit compliance with study requirements PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Cha…