Carboplatin, Paclitaxel, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer That Cannot Be Removed During Surgery

OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the effects of concurrent chemoradiotherapy utilizing carboplatin and paclitaxel with or without prior induction chemotherapy on overall response rate, disease-free survival, and overall survival in patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer. II. Compare the effects of these treatments on locoregional vs distant failure in these patients. III. Compare the toxicity of these treatments in these patients. OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients are stratified by measurable vs evaluable disease. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms: Arm I (immediate concurrent chemoradiotherapy): Patients receive IV paclitaxel over 1 hour followed by IV carboplatin over 30 minutes on day 1, and radiation therapy to the chest 5 times a week beginning on day 1. Treatment repeats weekly for a total of 7 courses. Arm II (induction chemotherapy followed by delayed concurrent chemoradiotherapy): Patients receive IV paclitaxel over 3 hours followed by IV carboplatin over 30 minutes; treatment repeats every 3 weeks for 2 courses. Patients then receive 7 courses of concurrent chemoradiotherapy as in Arm I. Total treatment time is 13 weeks. Patients are followed every 2 months for 2 years, then every 4 months for the next 2 years, then annually thereafter. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 360 patients will be accrued for this study within 3 years.