Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy vs. Chemotherapy Alone in NSCLC Patients

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer * Squamous, adenosquamous, large cell, or poorly differentiated * Stage IIIA (T1-3, N2, M0) * N2 disease confirmed by 1 of the following: * Mediastinoscopy * Bronchoscopy with fine-needle aspiration or esophagoscopy * All N3 lymph nodes must be negative by positron-emission tomography (PET) AND CT scan (\< 1 cm in the largest diameter) * PET scan * Both the primary tumor and at least 1 N2 lymph node must be positive in PET scan * At least 1 of the PET scan positive N2 lymph nodes is positive in the CT scan (\> 1 cm in the largest diameter) * All N3 lymph nodes negative in PET scan PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 to 75 Performance status: * WHO 0-1 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * WBC at least 4,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin normal * AST/ALT no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine clearance greater than 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: * Cardiac function normal * No unstable cardiac disease requiring treatment * No congestive heart failure * No angina pectoris even if medically controlled * No significant arrhythmia * No myocardial infarction in the past 3 months Pulmonary: * Lung function appropriate Neurologic: * No history of significant neurologic or psychiatric disorders * No psychotic disorders * No dementia * No seizures Other: * No other prior or concurrent malignancies except nonmelanoma skin cancer, adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any other neoplastic disease with a disease-free interval ≥ 5 years * No active uncontrolled infection * No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * No gastric ulcers * No pre-existing peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 1 * No contraindications to corticosteroids * No other serious underlying medical condition that would preclude study participation * No socioeconomic or geographic condition that would preclude study participation * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * No prior cytostatic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * No concurrent prednisone except for treatment of acute hypersensitivity reactions or chronic low-dose treatment initiated more than 6 months prior to study entry (i.e., no greater than 20 mg methylprednisolone or equivalent) Radiotherapy: * No prior radiotherapy to chest Surgery: * Not specified Other: * At least 30 days since participation in another clinical study * No other concurrent experimental drugs