Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, and Gefitinib in Treating Patients Who Are Undergoing Surgery for Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Inclusion criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) * Clinical stage IIIA by chest CT scan * Unresectable N2 disease by mediastinoscopy, mediastinotomy, thoracotomy, or video-assisted thoracic surgery * Measurable disease * At least 1 unidimensionally measurable lesion ≥ 20 mm by conventional techniques OR ≥ 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Planning to undergo lobectomy or pneumonectomy after induction therapy * No N3 or metastatic disease by physical exam, thoracic CT scan, bone scan, and CT scan or ultrasound of the liver and adrenal glands * No pleural or pericardial effusion * No superior vena cava syndrome * No diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis * No signs or symptoms of CNS involvement PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * Over 18 Performance status * WHO 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count \> 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count \> 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * AST and ALT ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Bilirubin normal * Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine ≤ 1.25 times ULN * Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min Cardiovascular * No medically uncontrolled congestive heart failure or angina pectoris * No uncontrolled hypertension or arrhythmia * No myocardial infarction within the past year Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * Physically and mentally fit to receive gemcitabine- and cisplatin-containing chemotherapy * Physiologically fit to undergo surgery * No uncontrolled, active infection requiring IV antibiotics * No history of hypersensitivity to gefitinib or any of its excipients * No motor or sensory neurotoxicity ≥ grade 2 * No other primary malignancy within the past 5 years except carcinoma in situ of the cervix or adequately treated basal cell skin cancer * No prior melanoma, breast cancer, or renal cell cancer * No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study compliance PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * No concurrent immunotherapy Chemotherapy * No prior chemotherapy for NSCLC * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * No concurrent antiestrogen therapy * Concurrent replacement steroids and antiemetic steroids allowed Radiotherapy * No prior radiotherapy for NSCLC Surgery * See Disease Characteristics * No prior surgery for NSCLC Other * More than 1 month since prior and no concurrent investigational agents * No other prior therapy for NSCLC * No concurrent CYP3A4 inducers, including any of the following: * Phenytoin * Carbamazepine * Rifampin * Barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital) * Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) * No concurrent systemic retinoids * No other concurrent antitumor therapy