Topotecan and Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Refractory Small Cell Lung Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Stratum A (less than 3 months since prior therapy) closed to accrual effective 06/20/2000)
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed recurrent or refractory small cell lung cancer
• * Only 1 prior regimen allowed (an alternating regimen with cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine and etoposide/cisplatin is acceptable)
• No mixed histology
• Measurable or evaluable disease that has not been in the field of prior radiotherapy
• No uncontrolled CNS metastases (treated CNS metastases eligible)
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• ECOG 0-2
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Total bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) OR
• Direct bilirubin normal
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN
• Cardiovascular:
• No unstable angina pectoris
• No uncontrolled congestive heart failure
• No myocardial infarction within the past 3 months
• Other:
• No uncontrolled infections
• No other concurrent malignancy except skin cancer or localized prostate cancer
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior topoisomerase I inhibitor (e.g., topotecan or irinotecan) or taxane (e.g., paclitaxel or docetaxel)
• At least 3 months since other prior chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• At least 3 weeks since any prior major surgery