Bryostatin 1 Plus Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Stage IIIB, Stage IV, or Recurrent Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically proven stage IIIB, IV or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Patients with stage IIIB disease must have pleural effusion Measurable disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: WBC greater than 3,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal SGOT less than 2 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Blood urea nitrogen less than 1.5 times normal Cardiovascular: No symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, or myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No heart block worse than first degree, bundle branch block, or ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmia by 12 lead electrocardiogram Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No uncontrolled concurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent colony-stimulating factors Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for NSCLC Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: Greater than 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concurrent investigational agents No concurrent antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV positive patients