OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified by stage of disease (stage IIIB vs IV). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms: Arm I: Patients receive cisplatin IV over 4 hours, mitomycin IV, and vinblastine IV on day 1. Treatment repeats every 3 weeks for 3 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Mitomycin is not administered during course 3. Arm II: Patients receive chemotherapy as in arm I. Treatment repeats every 3 weeks for 6 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Mitomycin is not administered during courses 3 and 5. Quality of life is assessed after completion of 3 courses of chemotherapy for patients in arm I and after completion of 4, 5, and 6 courses for those in arm II. Patients may receive radiotherapy beginning after completion of chemotherapy.