Polyglutamate Paclitaxel Compared With Gemcitabine or Vinorelbine in Treating Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) meeting 1 of the following criteria: * Locally advanced or recurrent disease previously treated with radiotherapy and/or surgery * Stage IIIB and not a candidate for combined modality therapy * Stage IV * No evidence of small cell carcinoma, carcinoid, or mixed small cell/non-small cell histology * Cytological diagnosis must be based on the following: * No cellular diagnosis by sputum cytology alone * Cytologic specimens obtained from brushings, washings, or needle aspiration of a defined lesion or pleural effusion are acceptable * Measurable or nonmeasurable disease * Brain metastases allowed provided patient received prior standard antitumor therapy for CNS metastases (e.g., whole brain radiotherapy, stereotactic radioablation, or surgery) and the following conditions are met: * Neurologic function stable for at least 2 weeks before study entry * Off steroid therapy or on a tapering regimen * Recovered from prior therapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT/SGPT no greater than 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if liver metastases present) * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN (except for laboratory documentation that demonstrates bone origin) Renal * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular * No unstable angina * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * Cardiac conduction abnormalities (e.g., bundle branch block or heart block) allowed provided cardiac status has been stable for at least 6 months prior to study entry Neurologic * See Disease Characteristics * No neuropathy greater than grade 1 * No evidence of unstable neurologic symptoms within the past 4 weeks (2 weeks for neurologic symptoms due to brain metastases) Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No intolerance to excipients of polyglutamate paclitaxel (e.g., poly-L-glutamic acid, poloxamer 188, dibasic sodium phosphate, or monobasic sodium hydroxide) * No clinically significant active infection * No other concurrent primary malignancy except carcinoma in situ or nonmelanoma skin cancer * No other unstable medical conditions * No circumstance that would preclude study completion or follow-up PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * No prior systemic biologic agent for lung cancer Chemotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * No prior systemic chemotherapy for lung cancer including radiosensitizing agents Endocrine therapy * See Disease Characteristics Radiotherapy * See Disease Characteristics * No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery * See Disease Characteristics * Recovered from prior major surgery Other * More than 12 weeks since prior participation in any research study or treatment with investigational drugs * Recovered from prior investigational therapy or stable for 4 weeks before study treatment * No other concurrent investigational drugs * No other concurrent systemic antitumor therapy * No concurrent amifostine * Concurrent bisphosphonates allowed