PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent colony stimulating factors (i.e., filgrastim (G-CSF) or sargramostim (GM-CSF)) No concurrent immunotherapy Concurrent epoetin alfa allowed Chemotherapy: No prior systemic chemotherapy No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent hormonal agents except for nondisease related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes) Concurrent steroids administered for adrenal failure or septic shock allowed Concurrent glucocorticosteroids as antiemetics allowed Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to the thorax Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 3 weeks since formal exploratory thoracotomy and recovered At least 1 week since prior diagnostic thoracoscopy Other: No other concurrent anticancer drugs