DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed extensive stage small cell lung cancer

  • Diagnosis by sputum cytology allowed provided it is confirmed by an independent pathologic review
  • Clinical evidence of recurrent or refractory disease does not require a confirmatory biopsy

• Measurable disease by plain radiographs, CT scan, or MRI

  • Prior radiotherapy to measurable disease allowed provided there is evidence of disease progression by CT scan OR there is measurable disease outside of the radiotherapy field

• Must have received a prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen and meet criteria for 1 of the following:

  • Platinum-sensitive disease, defined as an initial response with subsequent progression more than 90 days after last platinum treatment (temporarily closed to accrual as of 8/1/04)
  • Platinum-refractory disease, defined as no response to or progression during platinum treatment or subsequent progression no more than 90 days after last platinum treatment (temporarily closed to accrual as of 6/1/04)

• Brain and/or leptomeningeal metastases are allowed provided all of the following are true:

  • Asymptomatic on neurological exam
  • No concurrent corticosteroids for symptom control
  • No concurrent enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin or phenobarbital)

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

• 18 and over

Performance status

• Zubrod 0-1

Life expectancy

• Not specified

Hematopoietic

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

Hepatic

• Not specified

Renal

• Creatinine no greater than upper limit of normal OR
• Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception
• No symptomatic sensory neuropathy greater than grade 1
• No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any other adequately treated stage I or II cancer currently in complete remission

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• Not specified

Chemotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

• See Disease Characteristics

Radiotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy
• No concurrent radiotherapy to measurable lesions

Surgery

• At least 14 days since prior thoracic or other major surgery and recovered

  • Must have disease outside of the prior surgical resection area OR new lesion must be present