Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Stage IIIB or Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer Locally advanced Stage IIIB (T4, Nx, M0, or Tx, N3, M0) OR Metastatic disease Stage IV unresectable disease Following cell types eligible: Epidermoid cell Large cell Adenocarcinoma Bidimensionally measurable disease Unresectable recurrence after primary surgery allowed No brain metastasis PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 to 75 Performance status: WHO 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 3 months Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic: AST and ALT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.10 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled cardiac disease Other: No other significant, uncontrolled underlying medical or psychiatric condition No serious active infection Neurologically stable No other prior malignancy except treated nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: At least 30 days since prior experimental therapy No other concurrent experimental drugs