Combination Chemotherapy and Celecoxib in Treating Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) meeting 1 of the following criteria: Stage IV Stage IIIB with a malignant pleural effusion Locally recurrent and/or persistent disease after locoregional therapy with or without systemic chemotherapy Unidimensionally measurable disease If the only site of measurable disease is in a previously irradiated area must have documented progression of disease in that area No CNS metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic Bilirubin normal AST and ALT less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) (if alkaline phosphatase is normal) Alkaline phosphatase less than 4 times ULN (if AST and ALT are normal) Renal Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study treatment No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated squamous cell or basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease or gastritis/esophagitis within the past 60 days No prior hypersensitivity to cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), salicylates, sulfonamides, or drugs formulated with polysorbate 80 No pre-existing grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy No concurrent medical condition that would preclude study compliance PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy At least 1 week since prior biologic therapy Phase I patients: Any number of prior biologic therapies allowed (e.g., chimeric antibodies or kinase inhibitors) Phase II patients: No prior biologic therapy for recurrent/metastatic disease No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) Chemotherapy See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No prior irinotecan or docetaxel Phase I patients: Up to 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for recurrent/metastatic disease allowed (chemonaïve patients are also eligible) Phase II patients: At least 1 year since prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy for stage I-IIIA disease No prior chemotherapy for recurrent/metastatic disease Endocrine therapy Less than 2 weeks of cumulative oral/IV corticosteroid use within the past 3 months Radiotherapy See Disease Characteristics Recovered from prior radiotherapy At least 3 weeks since prior extensive-field radiotherapy for recurrent/metastatic disease Surgery Recovered from prior surgery Other More than 60 days since prior treatment for peptic ulcer disease or gastritis/esophagitis No prior NSAIDs at a frequency of more than 3 times per week for a cumulative period of more than 2 weeks within the past 30 days No concurrent antiepileptics, cyclosporine, aspirin, or fluconazole No concurrent NSAIDs No other concurrent COX-2 inhibitors