Designated E1594, this trial was designed to compare three platinum-based combination regimens containing third-generation drugs active against non–small-cell lung cancer to a reference regimen of cisplatin (Platinol) 75 mg/m² day 1 plus paclitaxel (Taxol) 175/mg/m²/24 h (arm A). The experimental regimens were as follows: gemcitabine (Gemzar) 1,000 mg/m² days 1, 8, 15 plus cisplatin 100 mg/m² day 1 (arm B); docetaxel (Taxotere) 75 mg/m² day 1 plus cisplatin 75 mg/m² day 1 (arm C); and paclitaxel 225 mg/m²/3 h day 1 plus carboplatin (Paraplatin) at an area under the concentration-time curve of 6 (AUC in mg/mL · min) day 1 (arm D). Arms A, C, and D were repeated every 21 days and arm B every 28 days.