Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

- Histologically confirmed pleural mesothelioma

- Unresectable disease

Exclusion criteria:

- Clinically detected pleural effusion or ascites that cannot be controlled by drainage
or other procedures

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

- WHO performance status 0-2

- Life expectancy > 3 months

- Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

- Creatinine clearance > 45 mL/min

- Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Transaminases ≤ 3 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases)

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients of must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after
completion of study treatment

Exclusion criteria:

- Hypersensitivity to pemetrexed disodium or any of its excipients

- Peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2

- Impossible to receive study therapy due to geographical, social, familial, or
psychological reasons

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Inclusion criteria:

- At least 28 days since prior radiotherapy (21 days for injected radiotherapy)

Exclusion criteria:

- Prior chemotherapy

- Prior yellow fever vaccine

- Inability to discontinue aspirin (> 1.3 g/day) or NSAIDs for 2 days prior to, during,
and 2 days after day 1 of each course of study therapy

- Concurrent participation in another clinical study