Comparison of Two Combination Chemotherapy Regimens in Treating Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung carcinoma of any of the following subtypes:
• * Squamous cell
• * Adenocarcinoma
• * Large cell anaplastic
• * Bronchioalveolar
• * Non-small cell carcinoma not otherwise specified
• No small cell anaplastic elements allowed
• Must have:
• * Recurrent disease after prior radiotherapy or surgery OR
• * Stage IV disease with distant metastases OR
• * Stage IIIB disease presenting with pleural or pericardial effusion on CT or chest x-ray or pleural implants documented pathologically or on CT or chest x-ray
• Bidimensionally measurable or evaluable disease
• Brain metastases allowed provided clinically stable after treatment with surgery and/or radiotherapy
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• ECOG 2
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• SGOT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• Cardiovascular:
• No uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable angina, or congestive heart failure
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No serious ventricular arrhythmias requiring medication
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No other active malignancies requiring ongoing treatment
• No uncontrolled serious active infections
• No suspected hypersensitivity to agents that utilize Cremophor
• No evidence of neuropathy grade 2 or greater by history or physical examination
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer
• Endocrine therapy:
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior radiotherapy to only site of measurable or evaluable disease unless subsequent progression documented by physical exam, radiograph, or pathology
• Recovered from prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent radiotherapy except for whole brain radiation for developing brain metastases
• Surgery:
• See Disease Characteristics