S0004: Combination Chemotherapy Plus Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Limited-stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed limited stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
• No malignant pericardial or pleural effusions, including any of the following:
• * Cytologically positive effusions
• * Exudative effusions not attributable to other etiologies
• No brain metastases
• Disease (measurable or non-measurable) must be present outside the area of prior surgical resection
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• Zubrod 0-1
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT or SGPT no greater than 2 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than ULN OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No symptomatic sensory neuropathy grade 1 or greater
• No other malignancy within past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or other stage I or II cancer in complete remission
• No other medical illness that would preclude study participation
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• No prior biologic therapy for SCLC
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior systemic chemotherapy for SCLC
• Endocrine therapy:
• Not specified
• Radiotherapy:
• No prior thoracic radiotherapy for SCLC
• Surgery:
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 2 weeks since prior thoracic or other major surgery and recovered