R115777 in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Measurable disease At least 20 mm in at least one dimension Nonmeasurable is defined as any of the following: Bone lesions Leptomeningeal disease Ascites Pleural/pericardial effusion Inflammatory breast disease Lymphangitis cutis/pulmonis Abdominal masses not confirmed and followed by imaging techniques Cystic lesions No CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST no greater than 3 times ULN (no greater than 5 times ULN in case of hepatic metastases) Renal Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Cardiovascular No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No uncontrolled infection No other prior malignancy in past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or other adequately treated noninvasive carcinomas No other concurrent severe underlying disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No prior biologic, gene, or immunotherapy Chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy for NSCLC except low dose cisplatin as radiosensitizer Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy Prior radiotherapy to less than 25% of bone marrow allowed Surgery Not specified