DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven unresectable, locally advanced, progressive or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer Not amenable to curative surgery or radiotherapy No prior first line chemotherapy for metastatic or advanced disease At least 1 bidimensionally measurable target lesion by CT scan No symptomatic brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 3,000/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT, SGPT, and alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.7 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No ischemic heart disease within the past 6 months Normal 12 lead ECG Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other prior or concurrent malignancy except cone biopsied carcinoma of the cervix or adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer No unstable systemic disease or active uncontrolled infection No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that could preclude compliance

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: At least 2 weeks since prior major surgery Other: No other concurrent anticancer agents No other concurrent investigational therapy