OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the safety and efficacy of oral versus intravenous vinorelbine in patients with stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer. II. Compare the quality of life of patients treated with these regimens. III. Compare the pharmacokinetics of these treatment regimens in this patient population.

OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive oral vinorelbine weekly. Arm II: Patients receive vinorelbine IV over 10 minutes weekly. Treatment continues in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Quality of life is assessed several times during treatment and 4 weeks after treatment. Patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A maximum of 195 patients will be accrued for this study.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer not amenable to combination chemotherapy, curative surgery, or radiotherapy Bidimensionally measurable disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 2,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT less than 2.5 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase less than 5 times ULN (except in cases of bone or liver metastases) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No unstable or uncontrolled cardiac disease Pulmonary: No history of recurrent aspiration pneumonitis within the past 3 months Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 9 days after study Able to swallow capsules intact No active infection within the past 2 weeks No unstable or uncontrolled medical conditions No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No history of peripheral neuropathy with severity greater than CALGB grade 1

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior immunologic therapy At least 1 week since prior hematopoietic growth factors or other blood products Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior chemotherapy No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 2 weeks since prior surgery Other: At least 4 weeks since prior investigational device or drug No other concurrent anticancer therapy No other concurrent investigational device or drug