Imatinib Mesylate and Paclitaxel in Treating Older Patients With Stage IIIB or Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To estimate the clinical efficacy of the combination of weekly paclitaxel and intermittent imatinib in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To evaluate the safety profile of the combination of weekly paclitaxel and intermittent imatinib in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. II. To collect paraffin tissue blocks for a companion project evaluating the expression of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) by original tumor specimens, and its relationship to response rate and survival. OUTLINE: Patients receive paclitaxel intravenously (IV) on days 3, 10, and 17 and imatinib mesylate orally (PO) once daily (QD) on days 1-4, 8-11, and 15-18. Treatment repeats every 28 days for 4-6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up periodically.