DX-8951f in Treating Previously Untreated Patients With Stage IIIB or Stage IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed unresectable, metastatic, or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer Stage IIIB or IV Measurable disease No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count greater than 1,500/mm3 Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL SGOT or SGPT no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (no greater than 5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No active congestive heart failure Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No concurrent serious infection No other malignancy within past 5 years except nonmelanomatous skin cancer No overt psychosis, mental disability, or incompetence No life threatening illness PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to greater than 25% of the bone marrow No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: No concurrent surgery Other: At least 28 days since prior investigational drugs No other concurrent investigational drugs during or within 28 days after final dose of study drug No concurrent drugs that induce or inhibit CYP3A enzyme