A phase I study with the combination of ifosfamide + carboplatin + etoposide (ICE) was conducted in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients who had had previous therapy were given the following dosages: ifosfamide 2 g/m2on days 1 to 3, carboplatin 75 mg/m2on days 1 and 2, and etoposide 80 mg/m2on days 1 and 2. In those with no previous therapy, carboplatin 75 mg/m2was administered on days 1 to 3. In 15 treated patients, 3 objective responses were documented, all from the 7 patients with no prior therapy. The dose limiting toxicity was leucopenia. A phase II study is required to determine the exact activity of the combination in patients with advanced NSCLC.Two patients with limited NSCLC were treated with high doses ICE (ifosfamide 6 g/m2on day 1; carboplatin 400 mg/m2on days 1 and 2, and etoposide 500 mg/m2on days 1 and 2) and autologous bone marrow infusion followed by local therapy. Toxicity was acceptable. Responses were of short duration (10 months) and both patients died 13 and 15 months, respectively, after the start of therapy.