Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed, operable stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer

- T4 N0-3 M0 or T1-4 N3 M0 by bronchoscopy and mediastinoscopy (required for
assessment of N3 disease) or CT scan or MRI of the thorax

- Squamous cell

- Adenosquamous cell

- Large cell

- Poorly differentiated

- No prior or concurrent metastatic disease by CT scan or MRI of the brain, bone scan,
and abdominal ultrasound or CT scan

- No malignant pleural or pericardial effusion

- No invasion of the aorta, esophagus, myocardium, or supraclavicular nodes

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 to 75

Performance status:

- WHO 0-1

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- WBC at least 4,000/mm^3

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

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin normal

- AST and/or ALT no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

- Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min

Cardiovascular:

- No unstable cardiac disease requiring treatment

- No congestive heart failure

- No angina pectoris (even if medically controlled)

- No significant arrhythmia

- No myocardial infarction within the past 3 months

Other:

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No definite contraindications for the use of corticosteroids as premedication

- No preexisting grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy

- No active uncontrolled infection

- No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

- No other prior or concurrent malignancy except non-melanomatous skin cancer or
adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix

- No prior significant neurologic or psychiatric disorders including psychotic
disorders, dementia, or seizures that would preclude informed consent

- No other serious underlying medical condition that would preclude study participation

- No socioeconomic or geographical circumstances that would preclude study compliance

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Not specified

Chemotherapy:

- Not specified

Endocrine therapy:

- No concurrent corticosteroids except as prophylactic pretreatment medication,
treatment for acute hypersensitivity reactions, or chronic treatment (initiated more
than 6 months ago) at low-dose (no more than 20 mg methylprednisolone or equivalent)

Radiotherapy:

- No prior radiotherapy to the chest

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics

Other:

- At least 30 days since prior treatment in a clinical trial

- No prior cytostatic therapy

- No other concurrent experimental drugs