Docetaxel, Cisplatin, Pegfilgrastim, and Erlotinib Hydrochloride in Treating Patients With Stage IIIB or Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologic Documentation: Either histologic or cytologic documentation of non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) is necessary, and the following diagnostic categories are acceptable: squamous carcinoma, basaloid carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, large cell carcinoma (not neuroendocrine), sarcomatoid carcinoma, and non-small cell carcinoma not otherwise specified (NOS); histologic or cytologic documentation of recurrence is required in patients who were previously completely resected
* Advanced Disease: Stage IIIB because of malignant pleural or pericardial effusion or stage IV disease
* Patients must be ineligible for Avastin or decline treatment with Avastin
* Prior Treatment: No prior chemotherapy or treatment with an EGFR inhibitor is allowed; brain metastasis must be under control (patient neurologically stable)
* All Patients must have Measurable or Non-Measurable Disease: measurable disease is defined as at least one lesion that can be accurately measured in at least one dimension; the longest diameter of measurable lesions must be \>= 20 mm with conventional techniques or \>= 10 mm with spiral computed tomography (CT) scan; non-measurable disease includes the following:

  * Bone lesions
  * Brain metastasis or leptomeningeal disease
  * Ascites
  * Pleural/pericardial effusion
  * Abdominal masses that are not confirmed and followed by imaging techniques
  * Cystic lesions
  * Tumor lesions situated in a previously irradiated area

    * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status 0-1
    * Granulocytes \>= 1,500/ul
    * Platelets \>= 100,000/ul
    * Creatinine =\< upper limit of normal (ULN)
    * Bilirubin =\< 1.5 mg/dl
    * Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) (aspartate aminotransferase \[AST\]) =\< 1.5 x ULN
    * Alkaline (Alk.) phosphatase (phos.) =\< 2.5 x ULN
* Patients must provide verbal and written informed consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who are pregnant or nursing because of significant risk to the fetus/infant
* Patients with neuropathy \>= grade 2
* Patients with a psychiatric illness which would prevent the patient from giving informed consent
* Patients who are unable to take oral medications
* Women with child-bearing potential or men who are sexual partners of women with child-bearing potential who are not willing to practice adequate contraceptive measures