DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically proven non-small cell lung cancer of any type Selected stage IIIA/B disease (T3-4, N0-1, M0) with superior sulcus involvement, including: Apical tumor without rib or vertebral body involvement, with Pancoast syndrome Superior sulcus tumor with involvement of the chest wall (T3) and usually ribs 1 and 2 by CT or MRI, with or without Pancoast syndrome Superior sulcus tumor with involvement of vertebral body or subclavian vessels (T4) by CT or MRI, with or without Pancoast syndrome Pancoast syndrome defined: Arm or shoulder pain Neurologic findings corresponding to C8 and T1 roots or the inferior trunk of the brachial plexus, with or without Horner's syndrome Single primary lesion that is measurable or evaluable by chest x-ray or CT required Pleural effusions allowed only if: Transudate with negative cytology on 2 separate thoracenteses if present before mediastinoscopy or exploratory thoracotomy Transudate or exudate with negative cytology on a single thoracentesis if present only after preregistration exploratory or staging thoracotomy OR Present on CT but not chest x-ray AND considered too small to tap under CT or ultrasound guidance Thoracoscopy to assess pleural metastases strongly recommended No mediastinal or supraclavicular nodal involvement (N2-3) established by mediastinoscopy, mediastinotomy, thoracoscopy, or thoracotomy No documented single- or multi-level ipsilateral or contralateral mediastinal nodes whether or not enlarged nodes visible on chest x-ray or CT AP window nodes (level 5) causing vocal cord paralysis considered N2 disease in patients with a distinct primary tumor in the left upper lobe Paralysis documented by indirect laryngoscopy No evidence of distant metastases on the following: Chest CT, preferably with contrast Thoracic spine MRI strongly recommended if CT suggests vertebral body invasion Abdominal CT including liver and adrenals, preferably with contrast Biopsy or aspiration cytology required to confirm diagnosis of any CT or MRI abnormality MRI and ultrasound sufficient to diagnose benign cysts or hemangiomas Brain CT or MRI with contrast Bone scan with x-rays or MRI, and/or aspiration cytology of any abnormality (unless related to chest wall extension of primary) No pericardial effusions or superior vena cava syndrome Patient considered candidate for potential pulmonary resection by attending thoracic surgeon