DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed newly diagnosed single, primary bronchogenic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

  • Adenocarcinoma
  • Non-lobar and non-diffuse bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma
  • Large cell carcinoma
  • Squamous cell carcinoma

• Unresectable stage IIIA disease

  • Histologically or cytologically confirmed N2 status
  • Multiple and/or bulky mediastinal lymph nodes on CT scan or x-ray
  • Ineligible for induction chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy followed by surgical resection
  • Ineligible for or refused participation in SWOG-9336 OR

• Stage IIIB disease

  • Pathologically or radiographically documented positive N3 nodes

    • No positive supraclavicular or scalene lymph nodes with disease extending up into the cervical region OR

  • Any documented T4 lesions invading the mediastinum, heart, great vessels, trachea, esophagus, vertebral body, or carina

    • Mediastinal involvement without organ involvement allowed if soft tissue mass extends directly into the mediastinum
    • Radiographic criteria for involvement of main pulmonary artery allowed if mediastinal soft tissue mass is present

• Single primary parenchymal lesion

  • No other lesions on same or opposite sides of the lung
  • No metastatic disease involving the contralateral chest, liver, or adrenals by CT scan of upper abdomen

• No malignant pleural or pericardial effusions

  • Pleural effusions visible only on CT scan or too small to tap allowed
• Measurable or evaluable disease by CT scan, MRI, x-ray, or physical exam
• No brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• Not specified

Performance status:

• Zubrod 0-1

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• WBC at least 3,000/mm^3
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Not specified

Renal:

• Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min

Pulmonary:

• FEV_1 at least 2.0 L OR
• FEV_1 less than 2.0 L if predicted FEV_1 of the contralateral lung is greater than 800 mL by quantitative split function testing

Other:

• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No other concurrent non-cancer-related illness that would preclude study therapy
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• No concurrent colony-stimulating factors during induction therapy

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior chemotherapy for NSCLC

Endocrine therapy:

• Not specified

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior radiotherapy for NSCLC

Surgery:

• No prior surgical resection of NSCLC
• Prior exploratory thoracotomy, mediastinoscopy, excisional biopsy, or similar diagnostic or staging surgery allowed