OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients are stratified by N stage (N0 vs N+) and performance status (0-1 vs 2). Patients are randomized to receive methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (arm I) or paclitaxel and carboplatin (arm II). Arm I: Patients receive methotrexate IV push on days 1, 15, and 22; vinblastine IV push on days 2, 15, and 22; doxorubicin IV push on day 2; and cisplatin IV over 2 hours on day 2. Treatment repeats every 28 days for 4 courses. Arm II: Patients receive paclitaxel IV over 3 hours on days 1 followed by carboplatin IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for 4 courses. Quality of life assessments are completed pretreatment, prior to course 3, 6 weeks after the last dose of chemotherapy, and at 6, 12, and 24 months from the end of therapy. Patients are followed every 3 months until year 2, every 6 months for years 2-5, and then annually thereafter.