OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the overall survival, progression free survival, symptomatic progression free survival, and one year survival of patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer treated with prinomastat (AG3340) or placebo in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin. II. Compare the disease response and duration of response in these patients on these regimens. III. Compare the quality of life of these patients on these regimens. IV. Evaluate the safety of these regimens in these patients.