Combination Chemotherapy Followed by Radiation Therapy Before Surgery in Treating Patients With Stage IIIB NSCLC

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed, operable stage IIIB non-small cell lung cancer * T4 N0-3 M0 or T1-4 N3 M0 by bronchoscopy and mediastinoscopy (required for assessment of N3 disease) or CT scan or MRI of the thorax * Squamous cell * Adenosquamous cell * Large cell * Poorly differentiated * No prior or concurrent metastatic disease by CT scan or MRI of the brain, bone scan, and abdominal ultrasound or CT scan * No malignant pleural or pericardial effusion * No invasion of the aorta, esophagus, myocardium, or supraclavicular nodes 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 and/or ALT no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: * No unstable cardiac disease requiring treatment * No congestive heart failure * No angina pectoris (even if medically controlled) * No significant arrhythmia * No myocardial infarction within the past 3 months Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No definite contraindications for the use of corticosteroids as premedication * No preexisting grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy * No active uncontrolled infection * No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * No other prior or concurrent malignancy except non-melanomatous skin cancer or adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No prior significant neurologic or psychiatric disorders including psychotic disorders, dementia, or seizures that would preclude informed consent * No other serious underlying medical condition that would preclude study participation * No socioeconomic or geographical circumstances that would preclude study compliance PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * Not specified Endocrine therapy: * No concurrent corticosteroids except as prophylactic pretreatment medication, treatment for acute hypersensitivity reactions, or chronic treatment (initiated more than 6 months ago) at low-dose (no more than 20 mg methylprednisolone or equivalent) Radiotherapy: * No prior radiotherapy to the chest Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics Other: * At least 30 days since prior treatment in a clinical trial * No prior cytostatic therapy * No other concurrent experimental drugs