Imatinib Mesylate and Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed small cell lung cancer Extensive stage disease Measurable or evaluable indicator lesion No symptomatic or uncontrolled brain or leptomeningeal involvement PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic WBC at least 4,000/mm3 Platelet count at least 160,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic Bilirubin no greater than 1 mg/dL AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 5 times ULN Renal Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 50 mL/min Cardiovascular No symptomatic congestive heart failure No unstable angina pectoris No uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia Other Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception during and for 3 months after study No other active cancer except previously treated carcinoma in situ, non -melanoma skin cancer, or stage I prostate cancer No ongoing or active infection No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study No other concurrent uncontrolled illness PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy except for non-cancer conditions (e.g., low-dose methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis) Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy At least 2 weeks since prior radiotherapy to major bone marrow-containing areas Surgery Not specified Other No concurrent warfarin for therapeutic anticoagulation Low-molecular weight heparin or heparin allowed