Combination Chemotherapy and Exisulind in Treating Patients With Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed small cell lung cancer
• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion
• * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
• * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• * Lesions considered nonmeasurable include:
• * Bone lesions
• * Leptomeningeal disease
• * Ascites
• * Pleural/pericardial effusion
• * Abdominal masses that are not confirmed and followed by imaging techniques
• * Cystic lesions
• * Tumor lesions situated in a previously irradiated area
• Must not be considered for combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy
• No active CNS metastases
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age:
• 18 and over
• Performance status:
• ECOG 0-2
• Life expectancy:
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic:
• Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3
• Hepatic:
• Bilirubin normal
• AST no greater than 2 times ULN
• No clinically significant hepatic disease
• Renal:
• Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min
• No clinically significant renal disease
• Cardiovascular:
• No clinically significant cardiac disease
• Other:
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No concurrent uncontrolled illness
• No known sensitivity to sulindac
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy:
• Not specified
• Chemotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer
• No other concurrent chemotherapy
• Endocrine therapy:
• No concurrent hormonal agents except:
• * Steroids for adrenal failure
• * Hormones for nondisease-related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes)
• * Intermittent use of dexamethasone as an antiemetic
• Radiotherapy:
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy, including for palliation
• No concurrent radiotherapy
• Surgery:
• Not specified
• Other:
• More than 7 days since prior sulindac
• No concurrent sulindac