Combination Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed small cell lung cancer * Limited disease confined to one hemithorax, the ipsilateral supraclavicular fossa, and encompassable within tolerable thoracic radiotherapy field * Minimal pleural effusions (i.e., blunting of the costophrenic angle on chest x-ray or a small effusion on CT scan) allowed * Measurable disease * At least one lesion accurately measured in at least 1 dimension with longest diameter at least 20 mm PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST no greater than 3 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: * No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Pulmonary: * FEV\_1 at least 40% of predicted AND at least 1 liter Other: * No uncontrolled infection * No other severe underlying diseases * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer or noninvasive carcinomas (carcinoma in situ) * No grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No hypersensitivity to E.coli-derived proteins, filgrastim (G-CSF), or any excipients of G-CSF PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * Not specified Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * No prior hemithorax radiotherapy Surgery * Not specified Other * No prior therapy for small cell lung cancer