Gemcitabine and Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Inoperable Stage IIIB or Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer of 1 of the following histologic subtypes: Epidermoid carcinoma Large cell carcinoma Adenocarcinoma Stage IIIB (T4, any N, M0 OR any T, N3, M0) OR Stage IV disease Inoperable disease Measurable disease At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion at least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan No symptomatic brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 to 75 Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 2,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than normal Transaminases no greater than 1.5 times normal Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times normal Renal Creatinine no greater than 2.3 mg/dL Cardiovascular No uncontrolled cardiac insufficiency Other Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 6 months after study therapy No uncontrolled infection No other prior malignancy except curatively treated basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No grade 3 or 4 brain disorder No intolerance to polysorbate 80 or cortisones PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy, including taxanes or gemcitabine No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to more than 20% of the bone marrow No prior radiotherapy for lung cancer At least 4 weeks since other prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery No prior surgery for lung cancer Other More than 30 days since prior clinical trial participation