DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including any of the following histologic subtypes:

  • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Large cell undifferentiated carcinoma
• Stage II or IIIA disease
• Measurable disease, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• No tumor involving the superior sulcus (e.g., Pancoast tumor)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Karnofsky performance status 70-100%
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• Creatinine ≤ 2 mg/dL
• Bilirubin < 2 mg/dL
• AST < 3 times upper limit of normal

• Not pregnant or nursing

  • No nursing during and for ≥ 4 weeks after completion of study treatment
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile female patients must use 2 effective methods of contraception 4 weeks before, during, and for 4 weeks after completion of study treatment
• Fertile male patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 4 weeks after completion of study treatment
• No blood, sperm, or ova donation during study treatment
• No post obstructive pneumonia
• No other serious infection or medical illness that would preclude study participation
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or other malignancy that is unlikely to affect survival for the next 3 years

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• At least 5 years since prior resection of lung disease
• No prior systemic chemotherapy or radiotherapy for NSCLC
• No other concurrent chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• No concurrent hormonal therapy or immunotherapy
• No other concurrent anticancer therapy
• No other concurrent investigational agents
• No concurrent participation in another clinical study