Cryotherapy in Treating Patients With Primary Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer or Lung Metastasis

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed (by percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy or transbronchial biopsy) diagnosis of 1 the following: * Non-small cell lung carcinoma * Stage I disease * Primary disease * No primary lung metastatic disease, satellite lesions of the chest, mediastinal lymph nodes \> 1.5 cm, hepatic or adrenal masses by the PET scan or the CT scan * Metastatic cancer to the lung * Must have a definitive cancer diagnosis with the primary tumor under local control and no metastatic disease other than to the lung * Solitary or multiple (≤ 3) peripheral lung lesions * No chemotherapy since the new metastatic lesion appeared * Measurable disease, defined as 1 lesion unidimensionally measured ≤ 3.0 cm by conventional CT scan techniques * Must be registered with the Clinical Trials office at the Karmanos Cancer Center/Wayne State University * Must be a candidate for a thoracotomy * No evidence of cerebral disease or metastatic disease of the brain PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Neutrophil count \> 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count \> 75,000/mm\^3 * PT and PTT normal * FEV\_1 \> 1.0 L/sec * Diffusing capacity ≥ 30% * Not pregnant or nursing * No other uncontrolled or concurrent illnesses including, but not limited to, any of the following conditions: * Active infection * Heart failure * Unstable angina * Cardiac dysrhythmia * Psychiatric illness or a social situation that would limit compliance with the study requirements PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior radiation therapy or chemotherapy for these particular tumors * No concurrent aspirin or other platelet-inhibiting drugs (e.g., coumadin or heparin) * No other concurrent experimental studies