Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Chemotherapy Compared With Standard Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Stage III or Stage IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer That Cannot Be Removed During Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed inoperable advanced non-small cell lung cancer Stage IIIA, IIIB, or IV Not eligible for curative radiotherapy or surgery Measurable or evaluable disease No bony lesions as only site of measurable disease No symptomatic brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: ECOG 0-2 (ECOG 3 allowed in some cases) Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST or ALT no greater than 3 times ULN (no greater than 5 times ULN for liver metastases) Renal: Creatinine normal OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Other: Not pregnant Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study No active infection No other serious systemic disorder that would preclude compliance No second malignancy except carcinoma in situ of the cervix or adequately treated basal cell skin cancer No peripheral neuropathy, significant neurological disorders (e.g., seizures), or psychiatric disorders PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Prior radiotherapy allowed if measurable disease outside of irradiated field Surgery: See Disease Characteristics