Carboplatin, Pemetrexed Disodium, and Bevacizumab in Treating Patients With Stage IIIB, Stage IV, or Recurrent Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically\* or cytologically\* confirmed non-small cell lung cancer

  * Any histology, except squamous cell carcinoma, allowed

    * Mixed tumors will be categorized by the predominant cell type unless small cell elements are present, in which case the patient is ineligible
  * No histology in close proximity to a major vessel or cavitation NOTE: \*Histologic or cytologic elements may be established on metastatic tumor aspirates or biopsy
* Meets 1 of the following stage criteria:

  * Stage IIIB disease (with malignant pleural effusion)
  * Stage IV disease
  * Recurrent disease
* Measurable or non-measurable disease
* No known CNS metastases by CT scan or MRI

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

* 18 and over

Performance status

* ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy

* Not specified

Hematopoietic

* Absolute neutrophil count \> 1,500/mm\^3
* Platelet count \> 100,000/mm\^3
* No history of hemorrhagic disorders

Hepatic

* Bilirubin \< 1.5 mg/dL
* AST and ALT \< 5 times upper limit of normal
* INR \< 1.5
* PTT normal

Renal

* Creatinine clearance ≥ 45 mL/min
* Urine protein:creatinine ≤ 1.0 by spot urinalysis

Cardiovascular

* No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
* No New York Heart Association class II-IV congestive heart failure
* No unstable angina pectoris
* No serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication
* No stroke within the past 6 months
* No peripheral vascular disease ≥ grade 2
* No uncontrolled hypertension (i.e., blood pressure ≥ 150/100 mm Hg)

  * Patients with a history of hypertension allowed provided blood pressure is well controlled on a stable regimen of anti-hypertensive therapy
* No history of thrombotic disorders
* No other clinically significant cardiovascular disease

Pulmonary

* No history of gross hemoptysis, defined as bright red blood of a ½ teaspoon or more

Other

* Not pregnant or nursing
* Negative pregnancy test
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* Must be willing and able to take daily oral folic acid, intermittent vitamin B\_12 injections, and corticosteroid premedication
* No ongoing or active infection
* No serious, non-healing wound, ulcer, or bone fracture
* No abdominal fistula, gastrointestinal perforation, or intra-abdominal abscess within the past 6 months
* No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

* More than 3 weeks since prior immunotherapy

Chemotherapy

* No prior systemic chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

* More than 3 weeks since prior hormonal therapy

Radiotherapy

* See Disease Characteristics
* More than 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy

Surgery

* More than 4 weeks since prior major surgery
* More than 1 week since prior minor surgery, fine needle aspiration, or core biopsy
* No concurrent major surgery

Other

* Recovered from all prior therapy
* More than 4 weeks since prior and no concurrent participation in another experimental drug study
* No aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) 2 days before and 2 days after each pemetrexed disodium infusion (5 days before and 2 days after each pemetrexed disodium infusion for NSAIDs with a long half-life \[e.g., naproxen, rofecoxib, or celecoxib\])
* No concurrent therapeutic anticoagulation

  * Concurrent prophylactic anticoagulation for venous access devices allowed provided requirements for INR and PTT are met
* No concurrent administration of any of the following:

  * Chronic daily treatment with aspirin (\> 325 mg per day)
  * NSAIDs known to inhibit platelet function, including any of the following:

    * Dipyridamole
    * Ticlopidine
    * Clopidogrel
    * Cilostazol