Lepirudin in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: 1. Pathologically confirmed recurrent or extensive stage small cell lung cancer. 2. Received at least one prior chemotherapy regimen 3. Measurable or evaluable disease that has not been irradiated 4. No pleural effusions, bone metastases, brain metastases, elevated serum enzymes, or radionuclide scans as the sole indicator lesion 5. Brain metastases allowed if patients received cranial irradiation and have no clinical evidence of brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: 1. Age: Not specified 2. Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% 3. Life expectancy: Not specified 4. Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 5. Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL PT and aPTT normal 6. Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min 7. Cardiovascular: No unstable heart rhythm No unstable angina No clinical evidence of congestive heart failure No prior cerebrovascular accident or stroke No uncontrolled or severe hypertension 8. Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception 9. At least 6 weeks since any signs or symptoms of bleeding No history of bleeding disorder 10. No bacterial endocarditis or other active infection PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: 1. Biologic therapy: Not specified 2. Chemotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy 3. Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy 4. Surgery: At least 6 weeks since major surgery, trauma, or needle biopsy of any organ 5. Other: No concurrent anticoagulant or platelet inhibitor therapy