Trastuzumab in Treating Patients With Stage IIIB or Stage IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer That Overexpresses HER2

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically confirmed stage IIIB or IV non-small cell lung cancer * Supraclavicular node involvement allowed * Malignant pleural effusion allowed (cytological confirmation not required if pleural fluid bloody or exudative) * No stage IIIB patients eligible for CLB protocols comprising combined chemotherapy and chest radiotherapy * Recurrent disease allowed * HER2 overexpression (2-3+) * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques * At least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * The following are not considered measurable: * Bone lesions * Leptomeningeal disease * Ascites * Pleural/pericardial effusion * Abdominal masses not confirmed and followed by imaging * Cystic lesions * No CNS metastases * Performance status - ECOG 0-2 * Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN * LVEF at least 45% (by echocardiogram or MUGA) * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * HIV negative * No concurrent immunologic disease (e.g., autoimmune disease) * No history of allergy to murine products * No prior murine antibodies * No prior anthracyclines * No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for lung cancer * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy * No concurrent chemotherapy * No concurrent steroids except for adrenal failure or dexamethasone as an antiemetic * No concurrent hormonal therapy except for nondisease-related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes) * At least 6 months since prior radiotherapy * No concurrent palliative radiotherapy * At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery