We conducted a multicenter early phase II study to evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy supported by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) for the treatment of intermediate grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (IG-NHL). High-dose etoposide or cyclophosphamide followed by G-CSF was used for PBSC mobilization, and a sufficient number of CD34+ cells (> 1 x 10(6)/kg) were collected. Out of 81 enrolled patients, 50 received high-dose chemotherapy with auto-PBSCT; Hematologic recovery after transplantation was rapid. The incidence of grade III/IV toxicity (Bearman) was about 6%; treatment-related mortality was 6% (3/50). The Disease-free survival rate for the patients in complete remission who received high-dose chemotherapy with auto-PBSCT was better than that for the patients who were treated with conventional chemotherapy (57% vs 35%). These preliminary results indicated that high-dose chemotherapy with auto-PBSCT is feasible and effective. A prospective randomized phase III clinical trial will be required to assess the efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy with auto-PBSCT as a post-remission therapy for IG-NHL.