DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer

  • Mixed tumors allowed unless small cell elements are present
• Stage IIIB or IV or recurrent disease
• At least 1 measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• No known brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy:

• More than 3 months

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dL
• AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (5 times ULN if liver involvement present)

Renal:

• Creatinine ≤ 2 mg/dL OR
• Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

• No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• No unstable angina pectoris
• No cardiac arrhythmia

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No peripheral neuropathy > grade 1
• No other concurrent uncontrolled illness
• No ongoing or active infection
• No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen

  • Two prior chemotherapy regimens allowed provided 1 of the 2 regimens was gefitinib monotherapy as second-line therapy
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for carmustine, mitomycin, or nitrosoureas) and recovered

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy (except localized radiotherapy for symptom relief) and recovered

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• Prior bortezomib allowed provided patient achieved at least a partial response (of at least 6 months duration), received no other therapy since the last dose of bortezomib, and has no residual toxicity greater than grade 1
• No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies for malignancy