Hospitalization Rates of Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Gemcitabine and Either Cisplatin or Carboplatin

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed inoperable non-small cell lung cancer Stage IIIA, IIIB, or IV Not eligible for curative radiotherapy or surgery No symptomatic brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status Karnofsky 50-100% Life expectancy At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic WBC at least 3,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST no greater than 2.5 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 3 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) Renal Creatinine no greater than ULN OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Other Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study completion No active infection No serious systemic disorder that would preclude study participation No grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy No significant neurological problems (e.g., seizures or psychiatric disorders) No other active malignancy within the past 5 years except carcinoma in situ of the cervix or adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy No other concurrent chemotherapy during or for 7 days after study therapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy See Disease Characteristics No prior radiotherapy No concurrent radiotherapy during or for 7 days after study therapy Surgery See Disease Characteristics Other At least 12 weeks since prior investigational agents No other concurrent antitumor therapy No concurrent experimental medications