Neoadjuvant IRESSA As Single Agent PreopTherapy for NSCLC With Molecular Correlates

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), meeting 1 of the following clinical staging criteria: * Stage IA or IB (T1-2, N0) * Stage II (T1-2, N1 with negative mediastinoscopy or T3, N0) * Stage IIIA (T3, N1 with negative mediastinoscopy) * Level 10 hilar nodes may be positive provided mediastinoscopy is negative * The following are not allowed (as evidenced by clinical staging criteria \[CT scan, positron-emission tomography (PET) scan, or mediastinoscopy): * Positive N2 lymph nodes (ipsilateral/subcarinal mediastinal lymph nodes) * Positive N3 lymph nodes (contralateral mediastinal/hilar and supraclavicular/scalene lymph nodes) * T4 primary tumor (malignant pleural effusion or mediastinal invasion) * Symptomatic tumors (T3, N0-1) involving the superior sulcus (i.e., Pancoast tumors) * Measurable disease by contrast-enhanced CT scan * No metastatic disease (except peribronchial or hilar lymph node involvement \[N1\]) by fludeoxyglucose F 18 PET scan * No malignant pleural effusion by preoperative evaluation * Pleural effusions visible only on CT scan that are not large enough for safe thoracentesis are allowed * No exudative effusions (even if cytologically negative), as evidenced by any of the following: * Ratio of pleural fluid protein to serum protein \> 0.5 * Ratio of pleural fluid lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) to serum LDH ≥ 0.6 * Pleural fluid LDH \> 200 IU/L * No superior vena cava syndrome * No spinal cord compression PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) 0-1 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * WBC ≥ 4,000/mm\^3 * Absolute granulocyte count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST or ALT ≤ 2 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2 times ULN Renal * Creatinine \< 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular * No uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmia * No myocardial infarction within the past 3 months Pulmonary * Pre-resection FEV\_1 \> 2.0 L OR * Predicted post-resection FEV\_1 \> 1.0 L * No clinically active interstitial lung disease * Chronic stable asymptomatic radiographic changes allowed * No post-obstructive pneumonia Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Willing to provide tumor biopsy pre- and post-gefitinib administration AND undergo PET scan * No known severe hypersensitivity to study drug or any of its excipients * No uncontrolled major seizure disorder * No unstable or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus * No serious infection requiring IV antibiotics * No grade 3 neuropathy * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No other unstable or serious medical condition that would preclude study treatment or surgery * No psychiatric disorder that would preclude giving informed consent * No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study compliance and follow up * No other significant clinical disorder or laboratory finding that would preclude study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * No prior or concurrent systemic chemotherapy for NSCLC Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * No prior or concurrent radiotherapy for NSCLC Surgery * Recovered from prior oncologic or other major surgery * At least 5 years since prior resection of lung disease * No prior surgery for NSCLC * No concurrent ophthalmic surgery Other * More than 30 days since prior non-approved or investigational drugs * No other concurrent therapy for NSCLC * No other concurrent investigational therapy * No concurrent use of any of the following medications: * Phenytoin * Carbamazepine * Barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital) * Rifampin * Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort)