Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed, newly diagnosed, advanced primary
non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, squamous
cell carcinoma, or unspecified), designated as 1 of the following stages:

- Selected stage IIIB (excluding Pancoast tumors)

- T4 lesion due to malignant pleural effusion OR

- Multiple lesions in a single lobe containing a T3 or T4 primary

- Stage IV (any T, any N, M1)

- Recurrent disease after prior surgery and/or radiotherapy

- Measurable or evaluable disease outside of prior radiation port

- No bronchoalveolar carcinoma

- No brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- Zubrod 0-1 (for age 70 and over) (Age 70 and older with Zubrod 0-1 stratum closed to
accrual as of 2/15/2003)

- Zubrod 2 (for age 18 and over)

Life expectancy:

- Not specified

Hematopoietic:

- Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN)

- SGOT/SGPT no greater than 2 times ULN if alkaline phosphatase is no greater than ULN
OR

- Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 4 times ULN if SGOT/SGPT are no greater than ULN

Renal:

- Not specified

Other:

- No prior severe hypersensitivity to docetaxel or other drugs formulated with
polysorbate 80

- No grade 2 or greater sensory neuropathy

- 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

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- No prior or concurrent biologic therapy for NSCLC

- No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF)

Chemotherapy:

- No prior systemic chemotherapy for NSCLC

Endocrine therapy:

- No prior or concurrent hormonal therapy for NSCLC

Radiotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered

- Concurrent palliative radiotherapy to small-field nonmeasurable lesions (i.e.,
painful bony lesions) allowed

- No other concurrent radiotherapy

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 3 weeks since prior thoracic or other major surgery and recovered