Interferon Alfa, Isotretinoin, and Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Recurrent Small Cell Lung Cancer

Inclusion Criteria * Histologically or cytologically confirmed recurrent small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with clinically confirmed measurable disease * Age 18 and over * ECOG Performance status 0-3 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * AST no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * Triglycerides no greater than 1.5 times ULN * Patients must have had prior chemotherapy treatment for SCLC, and toxicities must have resolved to less than or equal to grade 1 * Women of childbearing potential and sexually active males are strongly encouraged to use an accepted and effective method of contraception. Exclusion Criteria * History of another neoplasm other than SCLC except for non-metastatic, non-melanoma skin cancers, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or cancer cured by surgery or small field radiotherapy at least 5 years before registration * Pregnant or nursing, with a negative pregnancy test within 2 weeks prior to registration * Severe depression requiring medication * Use of the following drugs within 4 weeks prior to registration: carbamazepine, ethanol, tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, topical acne products containing Retin-A, vitamin A, cisplatin, ketoconazole, phenytoin or other antiepileptic drugs * Use of GM-CSF or G-CSF within 4 weeks prior to registration * Prior paclitaxel or interferon therapy * Radiation therapy within 60 days prior to registration * Chemotherapy within 60 days prior to registration