Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy Followed By Surgery in Treating Patients With Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed small cell lung cancer Limited stage disease (clinical stage I-IIIA) and meets the following criteria: Confined to 1 hemithorax No T4 disease based on malignant pleural effusion No N3 disease based on contralateral hilar or supraclavicular involvement Contralateral mediastinal (N3) nodes greater than 1.5 cm on CT scan must be biopsied to rule out pathologic involvement Measurable or evaluable disease Tumor must be able to be encompassed by limited radiotherapy field without significantly compromising pulmonary function No pleural effusion visible on chest x-ray (regardless of cytology) No prior complete tumor resection PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,800/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL No known Gilbert's disease Renal Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Calcium less than 12.0 mg/dL Cardiovascular No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No congestive heart failure No uncontrolled arrhythmias No active unstable angina Pulmonary Calculated postoperative FEV_1 at least 800 cc No chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with FEV_1 no greater than 1 L or uncontrolled bronchospasm in the unaffected lung Other Not pregnant Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other malignancy within the past 2 years except curatively treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or any other noninvasive malignancy No history of seizures No history of uncontrolled psychiatric illness that would preclude giving informed consent or complying with study No active or uncontrolled infection No uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (random blood sugar at least 250 mg/dL) No other concurrent serious medical illness HIV negative PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy No prior irinotecan No prior topotecan Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to the chest or other areas containing 30% or more of marrow-bearing bone Surgery See Disease Characteristics Other No concurrent phenytoin, phenobarbital, or other antiepileptic prophylactic drugs No concurrent amifostine