Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed recurrent or extensive stage small cell lung cancer unlikely to have a curative response to existing standard regimens Measurable disease by MRI or CT scan At least 2 cm in diameter PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 2,000/mm^3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL SGOT/SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal No hepatic failure Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL No renal insufficiency No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Cardiovascular: No severe heart disease No uncontrolled hypertension No history of congestive heart failure No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Pulmonary: No severe lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation No active infections No other concurrent serious disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered No concurrent immunomodulating agents Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas) and recovered No concurrent antineoplastic agents Endocrine therapy: Concurrent corticosteroids allowed Radiotherapy: At least 8 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: Recovered from prior surgery Other: No prior antineoplaston therapy Prior cytodifferentiating agent allowed