| Inclusion Criteria: | 1) Histologically documented diagnosis of aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
2) Measurable or evaluable disease, of stage II or greater, is required for study entry.
3) Previously untreated.
4) Age > 60 (i.e., >/= 61) years of age.
5) Adequate bone marrow reserve (ANC >1,000/ul, Platelets >100,000/ul), unless due to lymphoma-related hypersplenism or bone marrow infiltration.
6) Serum creatinine < 2 mg/dl, serum bilirubin < 2 mg/dl.
7) LVEF greater than or equal to 50% by echocardiogram.
8) Patients with known heart disease and Stage A Heart Failure are eligible for the trial at the discretion of the pts treating physician. It is strongly recommended that a consulting cardiologist review the pt. Patients with pre-existing hypertension and cardiac symptoms must be on well-controlled medication regimens. [Regardless of the cardiac status prior to treatment, consultation with a cardiologist is recommended before the second course of therapy for all pts.]
9) (Continuation from #8) Patients with known heart disease include those with diastolic dysfunciton, prior coronary artery bypass graft, percutanious transluminal coronary angioplasty or stent insertion, and prior radiation to the chest.
10) Zubrod performance status less than or equal to 2.
11) Signed informed consent |