PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy before first disease progression Chemotherapy: No prior systemic or intracavitary cytotoxic drugs No concurrent intrapleural or other systemic cytotoxic drugs Endocrine therapy: No concurrent anticancer hormonal agents (except corticosteroids) before first disease progression Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Concurrent palliative radiotherapy allowed for painful lesions, needle tracts, or surgical scars or prevention of metastases along biopsy tracks At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to sole indicator lesion unless lesion is clearly progressive Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Prior pleurodesis allowed except with cytotoxic drugs (e.g., bleomycin) Concurrent pleurodesis with noncytotoxic drugs allowed Other: At least 1 month since other prior investigational agent No other concurrent anticancer agents before first disease progression