Zoledronic Acid and Positron Emission Tomography in Treating Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer * Stage IIIB (with pleural effusion) or stage IV disease * Candidate for systemic therapy * Measurable disease, defined as ≥ 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques or ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan * No active brain metastases * More than 7 days since prior radiotherapy for brain metastases * Must be neurologically stable with no seizures within the past 3 weeks PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status (PS) 0-2 OR Karnofsky PS 60-100% * WBC ≥ 3,000/mm³ * ANC ≥ 1,500/mm³ * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³ * Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST or ALT ≤ 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) * Creatinine normal OR creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min by Cockcroft-Gault formula * No current active dental problems, including infection of the teeth or jawbone (maxilla or mandible) * No dental or fixture trauma, or a current or prior diagnosis of osteonecrosis of the jaw, of exposed bone in the mouth, or of slow healing after dental procedures * Not pregnant * No uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, any of the following: * Ongoing or active infection * Symptomatic congestive heart failure * Unstable angina pectoris * Cardiac arrhythmia * Psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior or other concurrent bisphosphonates * More than 2 weeks since prior surgery * More than 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) and recovered * More than 7 days since prior palliative radiotherapy and recovered * More than 6 weeks since prior and no planned dental or jaw surgery * More than 30 days since prior participation in an investigational trial * No other concurrent investigational agent