RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays to damage tumor cells. Drugs such as phosphorus-32 may make the tumor cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. Chemotherapy combined with radiation therapy and phosphorus-32 may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase I trial to study the effectiveness of phosphorus-32 plus radiation therapy and chemotherapy in treating patients who have stage II or stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: I. Determine the dosimetry and toxicity of interstitial phosphorus P32 colloid plus chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with previously untreated stage II, IIIA, or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer. II. Determine the maximum tolerated dose of phosphorus P32 colloid in these patients. III. Determine the response in patients treated with this regimen.

PROTOCOL OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation study of phosphorus P32 colloid. Patients receive vinblastine IV on days 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29; cisplatin IV over 30-60 minutes on days 1 and 29; and phosphorus P32 colloid interstitially on day 50. Patients with tumor size less than 8.0 cm receive radiotherapy following phosphorus P32 injection 5 days a week for 6.5 weeks. Patients with tumor size greater than 8.0 cm receive radiotherapy 5 days a week for 4.5 weeks prior to phosphorus P32 injection, and for an additional 2.5 weeks following injection. Cohorts of 3 patients receive escalating doses of phosphorus P32 colloid until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 3 patients experience dose limiting toxicity. Patients are followed every 3 months for 2 years, and then every 6 months thereafter.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 50 patients will be accrued for this study within 4 years.

Ages Eligible for Study:  18 Years and above

Criteria

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA:

--Disease Characteristics--

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed, previously untreated stage II, IIIA, or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer; Unresectable or inoperable disease OR Refusal of surgery; Tumor reachable by CT guided needle placement
• Bidimensionally measurable disease by chest x-ray or CT scan
• No clinical/radiographic evidence of metastatic disease

--Prior/Concurrent Therapy--

• Biologic therapy: Not specified
• Chemotherapy: Not specified
• Endocrine therapy: Not specified
• Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to thorax
• Surgery: See Disease Characteristics; No prior resection at primary site

--Patient Characteristics--

• Age: Over 18
• Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100%
• Life expectancy: Not specified
• Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3; Neutrophil count at least 1,900/mm3; Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3; Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL (transfusion allowed)
• Hepatic: Adequate hepatic function
• Renal: BUN no greater than 25 mg/dL; Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL
• Other: Less than 5% weight loss; Able to receive induction chemotherapy; No second malignancy within the past 5 years except skin cancer; Not pregnant; Negative pregnancy test; Fertile patients must use effective contraception