DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed newly diagnosed stage IIIB or IV advanced primary non-small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or unspecified) or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer after previous surgery and/or radiotherapy Stage IIIB: T4 lesion due to malignant pleural effusion, OR multiple lesions in a single lobe containing a T3 or T4 primary, OR lesions in multiple lobes of the ipsilateral lung for which one such lesion is T3 or T4 Any N M0 Stage IV: Any T, Any N, M1 Measurable or evaluable disease Measurable or evaluable disease must be outside of the prior radiotherapy port or prior surgical resection area No brain metastases No bronchoalveolar carcinoma or stage IIIB tumor involving the superior sulcus (pancoast tumors)