DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed small cell lung cancer

  • Extensive disease
  • Responsive or stable disease after prior induction chemotherapy comprising cisplatin or carboplatin AND etoposide or irinotecan
• No untreated, symptomatic brain metastases that require concurrent corticosteroids

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• 18 and over

Performance status:

• ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• WBC at least 4,000/mm^3
• Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• Cholesterol less than 350 mg/dL
• Triglycerides less than 400 mg/dL

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

Other:

• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix
• No prior allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to CCI-779 or to any of the components of its formulation
• No allergy or contraindications to antihistamines
• Not immunocompromised
• No active or serious concurrent infection
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for at least 12 weeks after study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• No prior biological response modifiers

Chemotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No less than 3 and no more than 6 prior courses of induction chemotherapy
• At least 4 and no more than 8 weeks since prior induction chemotherapy and recovered
• No more than 32 weeks since first dose of induction chemotherapy for metastatic disease

Endocrine therapy:

• See Disease Characteristics

Radiotherapy:

• At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No prior radiotherapy to target lesions

Surgery:

• Not specified

Other:

• At least 3 weeks since prior immunosuppressive therapy
• No concurrent anticonvulsant therapy