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

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as gemcitabine and cisplatin, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Gefitinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Giving gemcitabine and cisplatin together with gefitinib before surgery may shrink the tumor so it can be removed. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying how well giving gemcitabine and cisplatin together with gefitinib works in treating patients who are undergoing surgery for stage III non-small cell lung cancer.