Video-Assisted Surgery Followed by Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage I Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Poor Heart and Lung Function

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Known or suspected, single, peripheral, stage T1 N0 M0 lung tumor * Tumor must not be identifiable by bronchoscopy * Bronchoscopically visible cancer or bronchial distortions considered related to tumor * Positive cytology by bronchoscopy allowed if no gross abnormality visible * Mediastinoscopy required for nodes greater than 1 cm * No pleural effusions * No metastatic or N2 disease on CT scan * Lesion must be accessible for video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection * High cardiopulmonary risk for thoracotomy with at least 1 of the following criteria: * FEV1 less than 40% predicted * DLCO less than 50% predicted * Supplemental oxygen requirement * Chronic PaCO2 greater than 45 mm Hg * Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) less than 15 mL/kg/min * Patients who appear at high risk for non-pulmonary reasons (e.g., patients who are elderly or with renal or cardiac failure) may be eligible only if VO2 max or other criteria above are met * Eligible for radiotherapy after completion of wedge resection if histologic documentation of non-small cell lung cancer, including any of the following subtypes: * Squamous cell carcinoma * Adenocarcinoma * Bronchoalveolar cell * Large cell anaplastic carcinoma * Cytology from bronchial washings and transthoracic needle aspiration not acceptable PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * 0-2 Other: * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * Weight loss no greater than 10% within the past 6 months PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Radiotherapy * No prior thoracic irradiation