Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Plus BCG in Treating Patients With Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed limited stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

  * Completed first line combination treatment consisting of at least a 2 drug chemotherapy regimen (4 to 6 courses) and a chest radiotherapy regimen

    * Must have achieved clinical response (complete or partial) with no evidence of progression or relapse

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 18 and over

Performance status:

* Karnofsky 60-100%

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* WBC greater than 3,000/mm\^3
* Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm\^3

Hepatic:

* AST less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal
* No hepatitis B

Renal:

* Not specified

Other:

* No history of tuberculosis
* Purified Protein Derivative negative to at least 5 IU
* HIV negative
* No severe active infection
* No active infections requiring systemic antibiotics, antiviral, or antifungal treatments
* No serious unstable chronic illness
* No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix or nonmelanomatous skin cancer
* No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study
* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy
* No prior therapy with mouse proteins
* No other concurrent immunotherapy before first disease progression

Chemotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* No concurrent chemotherapy before first disease progression

Endocrine therapy:

* No concurrent systemic or chronic corticosteroids

Radiotherapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* No prior radiation to spleen
* No concurrent radiotherapy before first disease progression

Surgery:

* No prior surgery for SCLC
* No prior splenectomy

Other:

* At least 4 weeks since prior combination therapy
* No prior second line therapy for SCLC
* At least 4 weeks since other prior investigational agent
* No concurrent systemic antihistamines or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
* No concurrent immunosuppressant therapy before first disease progression