Soblidotin in Treating Patients With Progressive Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer Locally advanced or metastatic disease Demonstrates tumor progression Must have received 1 prior chemotherapy regimen Prior chemotherapy must have included a platinum agent Measurable disease At least 1 measurable lesion outside the field of any prior radiotherapy No symptomatic brain 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 greater than 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases are present) Renal Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiac Ejection fraction at least 40% by MUGA Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No psychiatric disorder that would preclude giving informed consent or following study instruction No grade 2 or greater neurotoxicity No other prior malignancy except nonmelanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix unless in complete remission and off therapy for that disease for at least 5 years prior to study entry No other concurrent severe or uncontrolled underlying medical disease that would compromise patient safety and study outcome No concurrent serious infection PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy No concurrent anticancer biologic therapy Chemotherapy See Disease Characteristics Recovered from prior chemotherapy No other concurrent anticancer chemotherapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy See Disease Characteristics Recovered from prior radiotherapy No concurrent anticancer radiotherapy Concurrent localized radiotherapy to a non-indicator lesion for pain relief is allowed provided other methods of pain control are ineffective Surgery At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery and recovered Other At least 4 weeks since prior myelosuppressive therapy More than 28 days since prior investigational drugs No other concurrent investigational drugs No other concurrent anticancer cytotoxic therapy