Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Lung Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically proven bronchoalveolar carcinoma (BAC) based on these criteria:
• * Absence of primary adenocarcinoma elsewhere
• * Absence of a demonstrable central bronchogenic origin
• * A peripheral location in the lung parenchyma
• * Intact interstitial framework of the lung
• * A histological appearance setting it apart from other tumors, with a characteristic pattern of growth: cuboidal or cylindrical cells lining up the alveolar septa with preservation of basic pulmonary architecture
• Must be unresectable Stage IIIB, IV, or recurrent BAC
• Evidence of multinodular lesions involving the lungs bilaterally or unilaterally (in the latter the lesions must involve more than one lobe)
• At least one target lesion bidimensionally measurable that has not undergone prior irradiation
• No CNS disease
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 to 75 (inclusive)
• Performance status:
• ECOG 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• Greater than 3 months
• Hematopoietic:
• ANC at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin less than 2 times upper limit of normal
• SGOT, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times upper limit of normal
• Renal:
• Creatinine less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal
• Cardiovascular:
• No history of ischemic or congestive heart disease
• No arrhythmia requiring chronic cardiopulmonary medications
• No history of clinically or electrographically documented myocardial infarction
• Other:
• No preexisting motor or other serious sensory neurotoxicity
• No active or prior second primary cancer except basal cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No clinical evidence of uncontrolled infection
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test 72 hours prior to start of study medication
• Adequate contraception required of all fertile patients
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy:
• At least 4 weeks since radiotherapy
• Must have at least one bidimensional lesion outside the irradiated fields
• Surgery:
• Fully recovered from any prior major surgery