August 31st 2000In medically suitable patients with stage III (locally advanced) non–small-cell lung cancer, the use of cisplatin (Platinol)-based chemotherapy as induction therapy prior to definitive local therapy has been shown to improve survival (J Natl Cancer Inst 86:673-680, 1994; Ann Intern Med 125:723-729, 1996). This is true regardless of whether the local treatment modality used is surgery or thoracic irradiation. However, because cisplatin therapy is particularly toxic, there is interest in studying other agents in the induction setting. Given its activity in non–small-cell lung cancer, docetaxel (Taxotere) is one logical agent to investigate.