Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of 1 of the following
types:

- Squamous cell

- Adenocarcinoma

- Large cell anaplastic

- Bronchoalveolar

- Non-small cell carcinoma not otherwise specified NOTE: Mixed tumors are
categorized by the predominant cell type (tumors with small-cell anaplastic
elements are ineligible)

- Evidence of at least 1 of the following:

- Clinically documented recurrent disease after prior radiation or surgery

- Stage IV disease (distant metastases)

- Stage IIIB disease presenting with 1 of the following:

- Pleural or pericardial effusion by CT scan or chest x-ray

- Pleural implants documented pathologically or seen on CT scan or x-ray

- Measurable or evaluable disease

- No brain metastases unless clinically stable after surgery and/or radiotherapy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

- 18 and over

Performance status

- ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy

- Not specified

Hematopoietic

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

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

Hepatic

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

- AST less than 5 times upper limit of normal

Renal

- Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR

- Creatinine clearance at least 40 mL/min

Other

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No hypersensitivity to agents that contain Cremophor EL (polyoxyethylated castor oil)

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

- Not specified

Chemotherapy

- No prior chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC

Endocrine therapy

- Not specified

Radiotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics

- Recovered from prior radiotherapy

- No prior radiotherapy to the only site of measurable disease, unless the site had
subsequent progression of disease documented by physical exam, radiography, or
pathology

- No concurrent radiotherapy (except for brain metastases)

Surgery

- See Disease Characteristics

Other

- No concurrent aminoglycoside antibiotics