S0119: Combination Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

Malignant pleural effusion constitutes extensive stage disease
Must have disease outside area of prior surgical resection or a new lesion must be present

Controlled brain metastases allowed (asymptomatic and previously treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy)

Brain metastases must be re-evaluated by CT scan or MRI after completion of radiotherapy or surgery

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

18 and over

Performance status:

Zubrod 0-2

Life expectancy:

Not specified

Hematopoietic:

Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3
WBC at least 3,000/mm^3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

Bilirubin no greater than 1.25 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
SGOT or SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN

Renal:

Not specified

Other:

Not pregnant or nursing
Fertile patients must use effective contraception
No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or other adequately treated stage I or II cancer in complete remission

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

No prior biologic therapy for SCLC

Chemotherapy:

No prior systemic chemotherapy for SCLC

Endocrine therapy:

Not specified

Radiotherapy:

See Disease Characteristics
No prior radiotherapy for SCLC except for brain metastases

Surgery:

See Disease Characteristics
At least 2 weeks since prior surgery (thoracic or other major surgery) and recovered