DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven previously untreated non-small cell lung cancer that is not amenable to potentially curative surgery due to the following: Direct invasion of the mediastinum, heart, great vessels, trachea, esophagus, vertebral body, or carina by tumor (T4) Cytologically positive scalene or supraclavicular nodes Mediastinal or contralateral hilar nodes 3 cm or greater on CT, with or without pathological confirmation Pathologically positive mediastinal or contralateral hilar nodes on mediastinoscopy or Chamberlain procedure (N2 or N3) Medically inoperable stage IIIA disease (e.g., resection would result in insufficient pulmonary volume) allowed No distant metastases No pleural effusion (regardless of fluid cytology) Evaluable disease