In a phase III trial, 1218 patients with unresectable stage IIIB or IV NSCLC, with KPS of 70% or greater, and who did not receive previous chemotherapy for this condition, were randomised to either docetaxel (T) 75 mg/ m2 as a 1 hour infusion immediately followed by cisplatin (Cis) 75 mg/ m2 over 30-60 minutes every 3 weeks, docetaxel 75 mg/ m2 as a 1 hour infusion in combination with carboplatin (AUC 6 mg/ ml. min) over 30-60 minutes every 3 weeks, or vinorelbine (V) 25 mg/ m2 administered over 6-10 minutes on days 1, 8, 15, 22 followed by cisplatin 100 mg/ m2 administered on day 1 of cycles repeated every 4 weeks.