Combination Chemotherapy Plus Radiation Therapy Followed by Surgery in Treating Patients With Stage IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed primary stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
• * T4, any N, M0 or any T, N3, M0
• * No N3 disease due to scalene or supraclavicular lymph node involvement
• No primary tumors located in the lower lobe combined with contralateral upper higher mediastinal lymph node involvement
• No mixed tumor types with small cell lung cancer
• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable target lesion
• * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
• * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• No pre-existing pleural or pericardial effusion
• No CNS involvement by CT scan or MRI
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 to 75
• Performance status:
• WHO 0-1
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm \^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• AST/ALT no greater than 1.5 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 1.25 times ULN
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• Cardiovascular:
• No clinical evidence of superior vena cava syndrome
• Pulmonary:
• Postoperative FEV1 and KCO greater than 40% predicted
• VO2 max greater than 15 mL/min/kg (if postoperative KCO no greater than 40% predicted)
• Other:
• No other primary malignancy except carcinoma in situ of the cervix, adequately treated basal cell skin cancer, or other malignancy treated more than 5 years ago without recurrence (excluding melanoma, breast cancer, or hypernephroma)
• No active uncontrolled infection requiring IV antibiotics
• No pre-existing sensory neurotoxicity grade 2 or greater
• No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study compliance
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• No prior immunotherapy for NSCLC
• No concurrent immunotherapy during induction chemoradiotherapy
• Concurrent colony stimulating factors allowed
• Chemotherapy:
• No prior chemotherapy for NSCLC
• Endocrine therapy:
• No concurrent anticancer hormonal agents (except corticosteroids for antiemetic prophylaxis) during induction chemoradiotherapy
• Radiotherapy:
• No prior radiotherapy for NSCLC
• Surgery:
• No prior surgery for NSCLC
• Other:
• No other concurrent anticancer drugs during induction chemoradiotherapy