Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed primary stage IIIB non-small cell lung
cancer (NSCLC)

- T4, any N, M0 or any T, N3, M0

- No N3 disease due to scalene or supraclavicular lymph node involvement

- No primary tumors located in the lower lobe combined with contralateral upper higher
mediastinal lymph node involvement

- No mixed tumor types with small cell lung cancer

- At least 1 unidimensionally measurable target lesion

- At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR

- At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan

- No pre-existing pleural or pericardial effusion

- No CNS involvement by CT scan or MRI

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 to 75

Performance status:

- WHO 0-1

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm ^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- AST/ALT no greater than 1.5 times ULN

- Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 1.25 times ULN

- Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

- No clinical evidence of superior vena cava syndrome

Pulmonary:

- Postoperative FEV1 and KCO greater than 40% predicted

- VO2 max greater than 15 mL/min/kg (if postoperative KCO no greater than 40%
predicted)

Other:

- No other primary malignancy except carcinoma in situ of the cervix, adequately
treated basal cell skin cancer, or other malignancy treated more than 5 years ago
without recurrence (excluding melanoma, breast cancer, or hypernephroma)

- No active uncontrolled infection requiring IV antibiotics

- No pre-existing sensory neurotoxicity grade 2 or greater

- No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would
preclude study compliance

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- No prior immunotherapy for NSCLC

- No concurrent immunotherapy during induction chemoradiotherapy

- Concurrent colony stimulating factors allowed

Chemotherapy:

- No prior chemotherapy for NSCLC

Endocrine therapy:

- No concurrent anticancer hormonal agents (except corticosteroids for antiemetic
prophylaxis) during induction chemoradiotherapy

Radiotherapy:

- No prior radiotherapy for NSCLC

Surgery:

- No prior surgery for NSCLC

Other:

- No other concurrent anticancer drugs during induction chemoradiotherapy