DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)* meeting the following criteria:

  • Squamous cell or mixed squamous-nonsquamous histology with predominant squamous component (≥ 50% squamous) with a primary, unresected endobronchial lesion

    • No small cell component

  • Centrally located primary tumor, defined by the following:

    • Primary tumor of any T stage within or touching the zone of the proximal bronchial tree

      • Zone is defined as a 3-dimensional volume with a perimeter of 2 cm in each direction around the proximal bronchial tree (carina, right and left main bronchi, right and left upper lobe bronchi, intermedius bronchus, right middle lobe bronchus, lingular bronchus, right and left lower lobe bronchi)
      • Any disease within this volume must not invade blood vessels determined by a contrast-enhanced CT scan evaluation of the entire thorax with thin slices (≤ 5 mm) through the area of central tumor bulk (i.e., no evidence of vessel invasion radiological evaluation) NOTE: *Diagnosis based on sputum cytology must be confirmed on a second specimen

• Stage IIIB (with malignant pleural effusion) or stage IV disease

  • Patients with stage IIIB NSCLC without an effusion are eligible if they are not candidates for combined modality therapy with curative intent (i.e., radical chemoradiotherapy)

• At high risk for bevacizumab-associated hemoptysis

  • Hemoptysis estimated as between 2.5 mL and 10 mL (largest volume of single episode of hemoptysis) in the past 2 months
• Measurable disease, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques or ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• No known brain metastases by contrast-enhanced CT scan or gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the brain
• No clinical or radiologic evidence of an existing or impending spinal cord compression

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status (PS) 0-1 OR Karnofsky PS 70-100%
• Life expectancy > 6 months
• WBC ≥ 3,000/mm³
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm³
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³
• Bilirubin normal
• AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Creatinine normal OR creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min
• INR < 1.5
• aPTT ≤ 1.5 times ULN

• No serious medical conditions, including any of the following:

  • Unstable angina
  • Myocardial infarction or stroke (cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack) within the past 6 months
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Active cardiomyopathy
  • Unstable ventricular arrhythmia
  • Symptomatic peripheral vascular disease
  • Active peptic ulcer disease
  • Uncontrolled psychotic disorders
  • Serious infections
  • Other medical conditions potentially aggravated by treatment
• No social situation that would preclude study compliance
• No other active malignancy
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for ≥ 6 months after completion of study treatment
• No history of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy associated with elevated risk of bleeding
• No uncontrolled hypertension (i.e., resting blood pressure consistently higher than systolic > 150 mm Hg and/or diastolic > 100 mm Hg with or without antihypertensive medication), history of labile hypertension, or history of poor compliance with antihypertensive medication
• No clinically significant proteinuria (24-hour urine protein < 1,000 mg)
• No serious or nonhealing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture
• No abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, or intra-abdominal abscess within the past 28 days
• No significant traumatic injury within the past 28 days
• No history of known allergy or reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to bevacizumab, such as Chinese hamster ovary cell proteins or other recombinant human or humanized antibodies, Cremophor EL®, or other agents used in study treatment
• No pre-existing peripheral neuropathy > grade 1

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• No prior thoracic radiotherapy

• At least 12 months since prior chemotherapy

  • No prior chemotherapy for advanced disease

• No prior therapy with angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or VEGF-receptor inhibitors

  • Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors as a noncancer therapy allowed
• At least 28 days since prior and no concurrent major surgery or open biopsy
• At least 12 months since prior anticancer therapy for any other malignancy except basal cell carcinoma of the skin, localized prostate cancer, or in situ carcinoma of the cervix
• At least 10 days since prior therapeutic anticoagulants or therapeutic thrombolytic agents

• No concurrent aspirin (> 325 mg/day) or antiplatelet agents, including dipyramidole, ticlopidine, clopidogrel bisulfate, or cilostazol

  • Other concurrent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs allowed
• No other concurrent investigational agents
• No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients

• No other concurrent anticancer agents or therapies

  • Steroids for pain, anorexia, or quality of life allowed