PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: More than 2 months Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Other: Able to undergo thoracoscopy under general or local anesthesia (as determined by the attending surgeon) Not pregnant Tests and observations must be completed within 1 week prior to randomization (chest x-ray within 1 week prior to procedure)