Gemcitabine and Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Inoperable Stage IIIB or Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer of 1 of the following histologic subtypes: * Epidermoid carcinoma * Large cell carcinoma * Adenocarcinoma * Stage IIIB (T4, any N, M0 OR any T, N3, M0) OR Stage IV disease * Inoperable disease * Measurable disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion at least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * No symptomatic brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 to 75 Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than normal * Transaminases no greater than 1.5 times normal * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times normal Renal * Creatinine no greater than 2.3 mg/dL Cardiovascular * No uncontrolled cardiac insufficiency Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study therapy * No uncontrolled infection * No other prior malignancy except curatively treated basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No grade 3 or 4 brain disorder * No intolerance to polysorbate 80 or cortisones PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * No prior chemotherapy, including taxanes or gemcitabine * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * No prior radiotherapy to more than 20% of the bone marrow * No prior radiotherapy for lung cancer * At least 4 weeks since other prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery * No prior surgery for lung cancer Other * More than 30 days since prior clinical trial participation