13-Cis Retinoic Acid With or Without Vitamin E for Prevention of Lung Cancer

OBJECTIVES: * To determine if alpha tocopherol can reduce the toxicities of low dose 13-cis retinoic acid administered for one year. * To access the adequacy of the collected specimens for studies of intermediate endpoint markers. * to establish a depository of biologic specimens for future studies of new biomarkers. * Arm 1: Patients receive oral 13-cis retinoic acid daily. * Arm 2: Patients receive oral 13-cis retinoic acid and oral vitamin E daily. * Arm 3: Patients undergo observation only. Treatment continues in arms I and II for 1 year in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Patients are followed annually for 2 years. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 100 patients (33 Arm 1, 33 Arm 2, and 34 Arm 3) will be accrued for this study within 3 years.