DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell carcinoma of the lung (adenocarcinoma, large cell, squamous, or any mixture of these types)

  • One of the following stages:

    • Stage IIIB

      • Malignant pleural effusion
      • Supraclavicular node involvement
      • Contralateral hilar nodes
    • Stage IV
    • Stage I-IIIA with recurrent or progressive disease after prior surgery or radiotherapy

• At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion

  • At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR
  • At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan
• Non-measurable disease only allowed if there are concurrent ill-defined masses associated with post-obstructive changes and diffuse parenchymal malignant disease

• Lesions that are considered non-measurable:

  • Bone lesions
  • Leptomeningeal disease
  • Ascites
  • Pleural/pericardial effusion
  • Abdominal masses not confirmed or followed by imaging
  • Cystic lesions
• No known CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

• Not specified

Performance status:

• CTC 0-1

Life expectancy:

• Not specified

Hematopoietic:

• Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3
• Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

Hepatic:

• Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• SGOT no greater than 2 times ULN

Renal:

• Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Other:

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

• Not specified

Chemotherapy:

• No prior chemotherapy
• No other concurrent chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

• No concurrent steroids except for adrenal failure
• No concurrent hormonal therapy except for nondisease-related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes)
• Concurrent dexamethasone allowed as antiemetic if used intermittently

Radiotherapy:

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent radiotherapy, including for palliation

Surgery:

• See Disease Characteristics

Other:

• At least 1 month since prior antidepressant treatment (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclics, novel antidepressants, St. John's Wort, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors)
• No other concurrent antidepressant treatment, including St. John's Wort
• No concurrent codeine preparations for pain