S0429: Docetaxel, Cetuximab, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Inclusion criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically proven newly diagnosed single, primary, bronchogenic stage IIIA or selected stage IIIB (excluding malignant pleural effusion) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) of one of the following cellular types: * Adenocarcinoma * Large cell carcinoma * Squamous cell carcinoma * Unspecified * Histology or cytology from involved mediastinal or supraclavicular nodes will be sufficient for diagnosis if a separate primary lesion of the lung parenchyma is clearly evident on radiographs (i.e., a second biopsy will not be required) * Underwent positron emission tomography (PET) scan within the past 42 days * N2 or N3 mediastinal disease by PET scan OR enlarged nodes on CT scan determined to be N2 or N3 by biopsy * Measurable disease, defined as lesions that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension as ≥ 2 cm by conventional techniques or ≥ 1 cm by spiral CT scan * Pleural effusion, ascites, bone lesions, and laboratory parameters are not considered measurable disease * No brain metastases * Malignant pleural effusion allowed provided 1 of the following is true: * Present before mediastinoscopy or exploratory thoracotomy AND the pleural fluid is transudate with negative cytology * Present only after but not before exploratory or staging thoracotomy AND the pleural fluid is either transudate or exudate with negative cytology * Present only on CT scan but not on decubitus chest x-ray AND deemed too small to tap under either CT scan or ultrasound guidance PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * Zubrod performance status 0-1, meeting ≥ 1 of the following criteria OR Zubrod performance status 2 with no co-morbidities or meeting 1 of the following criteria: * No co-morbidities * FEV\_1 \< 2 L OR \< 1 L with estimated contralateral FEV\_1 ≥ 0.6 L * DLCO \> 10 mL/mm Hg/min * Albumin \< 0.85 times lower limit of normal * Unintentional weight loss \> 10% within the past 6 months * Controlled congestive heart failure which, in the opinion of the investigator, may become decompensated due to radiotherapy * FEV\_1 \< 2 L OR \< 1 L with estimated contralateral FEV\_1 ≥ 0.6 L * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 * Serum creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Must provide prior smoking history * Serum bilirubin normal * Meets one of the following criteria: * Alkaline phosphatase (AP) ≤ 4 times ULN AND SGOT or SGPT normal * AP normal AND SGOT or SGPT ≤ 2.5 times ULN * No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer from which the patient is currently in complete remission * No pregnant or nursing patients * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * No prior chemotherapy or curative surgery for this cancer * No prior radiotherapy to the neck and/or thorax for any reason * No prior therapy which specifically targets the EGFR pathway * No concurrent growth factors (e.g., filgrastim \[G-CSF\], epoetin alfa, or pegfilgrastim) or amifostine * No concurrent intensity-modulated radiotherapy * No concurrent prophylactic mediastinal, contralateral hilar, or supraclavicular lymph node radiotherapy