OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive carboplatin IV over 30 minutes on day 1 followed by gemcitabine IV over 30 minutes on days 1 and 8. Treatment repeats every 21 days for 3 courses. Following the 3 courses of carboplatin and gemcitabine, patients receive paclitaxel IV over 3 hours on day 1 every 21 days for 3 courses. Arm II: Patients receive cisplatin IV over 30-60 minutes on day 1 followed by vinorelbine IV over 6-10 minutes on days 1 and 8. Treatment repeats every 21 days for 3 courses. Following the 3 courses of cisplatin and vinorelbine, patients receive docetaxel IV over 1 hour on day 1 every 21 days for 3 courses. Patients receive no further treatment until evidence of disease progression. Patients are followed every 2 months for the first year, every 6 months for years 2 and 3, and annually thereafter.