DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

  • Stage IIIB with malignant pleural effusion, stage IV, or recurrent
  • Measurable or nonmeasurable disease
• No squamous cell NSCLC
• No known CNS metastases by head CT scan or MRI within the past 4 weeks

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3
• No prior thrombotic or hemorrhagic disorders

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• Transaminases no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• PTT normal
• INR no greater than 1.5

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN
• Urine protein less than 1+ (i.e., trace or 0 by dipstick or urinalysis) OR
• 24-hour urine protein less than 500 mg

Cardiovascular:

• No symptomatic congestive heart failure
• No unstable angina pectoris
• No cardiac arrhythmia
• Concurrent hypertension allowed provided well-controlled on a stable regimen of anti-hypertensive therapy

Pulmonary:

• No history of gross hemoptysis (½ teaspoon of bright red blood or more)

Other:

• No ongoing or active infection
• No serious non-healing wound ulcer
• No bone fracture
• No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance
• No other concurrent comorbidities that would preclude study participation
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• At least 3 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered

Chemotherapy:

• No prior systemic chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• At least 3 weeks since prior hormonal therapy and recovered

Radiotherapy:

• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

Surgery:

• At least 3 weeks since prior major surgery

Other:

• No concurrent therapeutic anticoagulation
• No concurrent chronic daily aspirin (greater than 325 mg/day)
• No concurrent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents known to inhibit platelet function (arm II only)
• No concurrent dipyridamole, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and/or cilostazol