Chemotherapy Plus Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed limited stage small cell lung cancer Includes disease restricted to one hemithorax with regional lymph node metastases, including hilar, ipsilateral and contralateral mediastinal lymph nodes Clinically suspected or confirmed supraclavicular lymph node metastases and pleural effusions that are visible on plain chest radiographs, whether cytologically positive or not, are not eligible Unidimensionally or bidimensionally measurable disease

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than 1.5 mg/dL SGOT less than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Renal: Creatinine no greater than ULN Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No concurrent active second malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer (i.e., completed therapy and considered to be at less than 30% risk of relapse)

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent steroids except for adrenal failure No concurrent hormones except for nondisease related conditions (e.g., insulin for diabetes) No concurrent dexamethasone except for intermittent use as an antiemetic or as an adjunct to prophylactic cranial irradiation Radiotherapy: No prior mediastinal radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified