DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

• Histologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer

  • Stage I-IIIA disease
• Must have undergone a complete resection
• Must begin adjuvant chemotherapy within 8 weeks of surgical resection

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status 0-1
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• Serum creatinine normal OR creatinine clearance ≥ 40 mL/min
• Bilirubin normal

• Alkaline phosphatase (AP), AST, and ALT must meet 1 of the following criteria:

  • AP normal AND AST and ALT ≤ 5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • AP ≤ 2.5 times ULN AND AST and ALT ≤ 1.5 times ULN
  • AP ≤ 5 times ULN AND AST and ALT normal
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 3 months after study therapy
• No breastfeeding
• No peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2
• No history of severe hypersensitivity to docetaxel or polysorbate 80
• Prior history of malignancy allowed provided the attending medical oncologists believes that adjuvant chemotherapy is indicated and will potentially benefit the patient

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• 2-8 weeks since prior surgery and recovered