OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the impact on overall survival of adjuvant cisplatin and either a vinca alkaloid or etoposide (with or without radiotherapy) vs. no adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with completely resected stage I/II/III non-small cell lung cancer. II. Assess the frequency of treatment-related deaths and severe toxic effects. III. Describe the patterns of failure, second malignancies, and toxic effects associated with each treatment regimen.