OBJECTIVES: I. Define the immunological parameters of cytolytic T cell and T helper cell activity associated with skin testing and vaccination with autologous lung tumor associated antigen and detoxPC in patients with curatively resected stage I, II, or IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or stage I or II mesothelioma. II. Evaluate any responses associated with an enhanced antitumor immune status in this patient population with this treatment regimen.