Specialized Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage II, Stage III, Stage IV, or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Poor Performance Status

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

   - Histologically or cytologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer

      - Stage II-IV and/or recurrent disease

      - No small cell histology

   - Measurable or evaluable disease

      - Tumor not amenable to surgical resection

      - Tumor not eligible for stereotactic body radiation therapy

   - No prior radiotherapy to the region of the study cancer that would result in overlap
   of radiation therapy fields

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

   - Zubrod performance status 2-4

   - Not pregnant or nursing

   - Negative pregnancy test

   - Fertile patients must agree to use effective contraception

   - Must complete all required pretreatment evaluations

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

   - See Disease Characteristics

   - More than 1 week since prior chemotherapy or chemoradiation therapy

   - No concurrent chemotherapy

   - No other concurrent antineoplastic therapy (including standard-fractionated
   radiotherapy to the chest, chemotherapy, biological therapy, vaccine therapy, and
   surgery) 1 week before, during, and for 1 week after completion of study therapy