S0022:Combination Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage IIIB Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer * Adenocarcinoma * Large cell carcinoma * Squamous cell carcinoma * Pathologically or radiographically documented positive N3 nodes * No positive supraclavicular or scalene lymph nodes with disease extending into the cervical region OR * T4 tumor invading any of the following: * Mediastinum * Heart * Great vessels * Trachea * Esophagus * Vertebral body * Carina * No brain, contralateral chest, liver, or adrenal metastases * No more than 1 parenchymal lesion * No malignant pleural effusions unless they are only visible on CT scan or deemed too small to tap * No pericardial effusions * Measurable disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Zubrod 0-2 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Not specified Renal: * Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Pulmonary: * One of the following: * FEV1 at least 2.0 L * Predicted FEV1 of contralateral lung greater than 800 mL * Predicted post-treatment FEV1 at least 1.0 L Other: * No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * No concurrent growth factors during induction chemoradiotherapy Chemotherapy: * No prior chemotherapy for lung cancer Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * No prior radiotherapy for lung cancer Surgery: * No prior surgical resection of lung cancer * Prior exploratory thoracotomy, mediastinoscopy, excisional biopsy, or similar surgery for determining diagnosis, stage, or potential resectability allowed