Vinorelbine, Gemcitabine, and Docetaxel Compared With Paclitaxel and Carboplatin in Treating Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

You may be eligible if

• DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:
• Histologically or cytologically confirmed primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) meeting criteria for 1 of the following:
• * Newly diagnosed selected stage IIIB (T4 lesion due to malignant pleural effusion) disease
• * Newly diagnosed stage IV disease
• * Recurrent disease after prior surgery and/or radiotherapy
• The following cellular subtypes are allowed:
• * Adenocarcinoma
• * Large cell carcinoma
• * Squamous cell carcinoma
• * Unspecified carcinoma
• Measurable or nonmeasurable disease by CT scan, MRI, x-ray, physical examination, or bone scintigraphy
• * Pleural effusions, ascites, and laboratory parameters are not allowed as the only evidence of disease
• * Disease must be present outside area of prior surgical resection
• * Disease must be present outside area of prior radiotherapy OR new lesion documented
• No known brain metastases by CT scan or MRI within the past 6 weeks
• No pleural or pericardial effusions requiring treatment
• PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:
• Age
• 18 and over
• Performance status
• Zubrod 0-1
• Life expectancy
• Not specified
• Hematopoietic
• Absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL
• Hepatic
• Bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT or SGPT ≤ 2 times ULN
• Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2 times ULN
• Renal
• Creatinine ≤ ULN
• Creatinine clearance ≥ 50 mL/min
• Cardiovascular
• No uncontrolled hypertension
• No unstable angina
• No congestive heart failure
• No myocardial infarction within the past year
• No ventricular arrhythmia requiring medical intervention
• Other
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No prior allergic drug reaction attributed to Cremophor or polysorbate 80
• No disorder associated with lung cancer with life-threatening consequences
• No motor or sensory neuropathy ≥ grade 2
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer currently in complete remission
• No uncontrolled diabetes
• PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:
• Biologic therapy
• No prior biologic therapy for NSCLC
• Chemotherapy
• No prior systemic chemotherapy for NSCLC
• Endocrine therapy
• No prior or concurrent steroid-type hormonal therapy (e.g., ethinyl estradiol)
• Radiotherapy
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered
• Surgery
• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 2 weeks since prior thoracic or other major surgery and recovered
• Other
• No prior or concurrent azole antifungal therapy (e.g., ketoconazole, miconazole, or itraconazole)
• No prior or concurrent macrolides (e.g., erythromycin or clarithromycin)
• No prior or concurrent cyclosporine, terfenadine, benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, triazolam, or midazolam), or retinoids
• No prior or concurrent calcium antagonists (e.g., diltiazem, nifedipine, or verapamil)