The modest antitumor activity and clinical benefit of conventional platinum-containing multidrug regimens in locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer have provided the impetus for the development of novel combinations. The promising single-agent activity of docetaxel makes it an obvious candidate for incorporation into active programs. The Irish Clinical Oncology Research Group is conducting a phase I-II evaluation of a three-drug combination of docetaxel, ifosfamide, and cisplatin with lenograstim support in patients with stages III-IV non-small cell lung cancer. Preliminary results indicate that the regimen is feasible and tolerable up to a maximum tolerated dose level of 3,000 mg/m2 ifosfamide, 75 mg/m2 cisplatin, and 75 mg/ m2 docetaxel. The regimen appears to be quite active, with nine of 12 evaluable patients responding in the phase I component of the trial. This dose level is currently being explored in a phase II trial.