Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

- Clinical stage IIB or III disease

- No small cell carcinoma

- No stage IV disease*

- No diffuse bronchoalveolar subtype

- No planned definitive surgical resection NOTE: *Patients with evidence of stage
IV disease by positron emission tomography are eligible if the evidence cannot
be confirmed by other means AND the physician still plans to proceed with
definitive chemoradiation

- Planning treatment with definitive chemoradiotherapy

- May be treated on another Radiation Therapy Oncology Group protocol (except
phase I studies) OR with conventional concurrent NSCLC chemoradiotherapy

- Radiotherapy ≥ 60 Gy AND chemotherapy to include concurrent platinum-based
therapy

- No brain metastases by head CT scan or MRI

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

- 18 and over

Performance status

- Zubrod 0-1

Life expectancy

- Not specified

Hematopoietic

- Not specified

Hepatic

- Not specified

Renal

- Not specified

Other

- Medically suitable for early concurrent chemoradiotherapy (radiotherapy dose ≥ 60 Gy)

- Able to tolerate positron emission tomography imaging

- No poorly controlled diabetes (defined as fasting glucose level > 200 mg/dL)

- No other malignancy within the past 3 years except basal cell or squamous cell skin
cancer or carcinoma in situ

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study
participation

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

- No anticipated use of adjuvant biologic therapy beyond 14 weeks after the completion
of radiotherapy

Chemotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics

- No anticipated use of adjuvant chemotherapy beyond 14 weeks after the completion of
radiotherapy

Endocrine therapy

- Not specified

Radiotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics

- No prior thoracic radiotherapy

- No concurrent intensity-modulated radiotherapy

Surgery

- See Disease Characteristics