Paclitaxel and Irinotecan in Treating Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed metastatic non-small cell lung cancer for which no curative therapy exists
Stage IIIB with pleural effusion allowed
Measurable or evaluable disease
CNS metastases allowed if disease stable at least 4 weeks following completion of surgery and/or radiotherapy and no anticonvulsant required

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

Over 18

Performance status:

ECOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

At least 3 months

Hematopoietic:

Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3
Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

Bilirubin less than 2.0 mg/dL
SGOT no greater than 3 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 5 times ULN if tumor involves liver)

Renal:

Creatinine clearance at least 70 mL/min

Other:

No other malignancies within past 3 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer and carcinoma in situ of the cervix
HIV negative
Not pregnant or nursing
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective birth control
No active infection
No concurrent medical condition that would preclude study participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

Not specified

Chemotherapy:

No prior systemic chemotherapy for lung cancer
No prior irinotecan or paclitaxel

Endocrine therapy:

Not specified

Radiotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 4 weeks since prior wide field radiotherapy
No prior radiotherapy to greater than 20% of bone marrow allowed

Surgery:

See Disease Characteristics
Recovered from prior surgery