Pathologically (histologically or cytologically) proven diagnosis of stage IIIA or IIIB non-small cell lung cancer within 84 days of registration; eligible histologies include adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous, large cell carcinoma, squamous carcinoma, non-lobar and non-diffuse bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma or non-small cell lung cancer not otherwise specified)

Patients must have measurable disease

Patients must have unresectable disease, be medically inoperable, or unwilling to undergo surgical management

Appropriate stage for protocol entry, including no distant metastases, based upon the following minimum diagnostic workup:

History/physical examination, including documentation of height, weight, body surface area, and vital signs, within 30 days prior to registration

Computed tomography (CT) with IV contrast or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging (if CT scan with contrast is medically contraindicated) of the lung and upper abdomen through the adrenal glands, required within 45 days prior to registration (recommended within 30 days prior to registration

MRI of the brain with contrast (or CT with contrast if MRI is medically contraindicated) within 45 days prior to registration; note: the use of intravenous contrast is required for the MRI or CT; an MRI without contrast is only permitted if the patient has a contrast allergy

Whole-body fludeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT required within 45 days prior to registration (recommended within 30 days prior to registration; note: patients do not need to have a separate CT of the chest and upper abdomen with contrast if PET/CT imaging includes a high quality CT with contrast

Zubrod performance status 0-1

Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) \>= 1,500 cells/mm\^3

Complete blood count(CBC)/differential obtained within 14 days prior to registration on study, with adequate bone marrow function defined as follows:

Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) = 1,500 cells/mm3

Platelets \>= 100,000 cells/mm\^3

Hemoglobin \>= 8.0 g/dl (note: the use of transfusion or other intervention to achieve hemoglobin \[Hgb\] \>= 8.0 g/dl is acceptable)

Adequate renal function within 14 days prior to registration, defined as serum creatinine within normal institutional limits or creatinine clearance must be at least 60 ml/min;

Adequate hepatic function within 14 days prior to registration, defined as total bilirubin = 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) for the institution and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase = 2.5 x ULN for the institution;

Fasting blood glucose = 125 mg/dL within 14 days prior to registration;

Serum albumin \> 3.0 g/dl within 14 days prior to registration;

For women of childbearing potential, a serum pregnancy test within 72 hours prior to registration;

Patients with post-obstructive pneumonia are eligible provided they no longer require intravenous antibiotics at registration;

Patients must be at least 3 weeks from prior thoracotomy (if performed);

If a pleural effusion is present, the following criteria must be met at registration to exclude malignant involvement (incurable M1a disease):

When pleural fluid is visible on both the CT scan and on a chest x-ray, a pleuracentesis is required to confirm that the pleural fluid is cytologically negative;

Effusions that are minimal (i.e. not visible under ultrasound guidance) and that are too small to safely tap are eligible.

Women of childbearing potential and male participants must practice adequate contraception throughout the study;

Patients with mixed small cell and non-small cell histologies

Patients with distant metastasis

Prior invasive malignancy (except non-melanomatous skin cancer) unless disease free for a minimum of 3 years (for example, carcinoma in situ of the breast, oral cavity, or cervix are all permissible)

Prior systemic chemotherapy for the study cancer; note that prior chemotherapy for a different cancer is allowable

Prior radiotherapy to the region of the study cancer that would result in overlap of radiation therapy fields

Patients currently using metformin (metformin hydrochloride), other oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin

Patients with any history of allergic reaction to paclitaxel or other taxanes or carboplatin

Patients with a history of chronic kidney disease or lactic acidosis

Patients with >= 10% weight loss within the past month

Severe, active co-morbidity, defined as follows:

Diagnosis of type I or type II diabetes mellitus

Uncontrolled neuropathy \>= grade 2 regardless of cause

Unstable angina and/or congestive heart failure requiring hospitalization within the last 6 months

Transmural myocardial infarction within the last 6 months

Acute bacterial or fungal infection requiring intravenous antibiotics at the time of registration

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation or other respiratory illness requiring hospitalization or precluding study therapy within 30 days of registration

Severe hepatic disease, defined as a diagnosis of Child-Pugh class B or C hepatic disease

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive with cluster of differentiation (CD)4 count \< 200 cells/microliter; note that patients who are HIV positive are eligible, provided they are under treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and have a CD4 count \>= 200 cells/microliter within 30 days prior to registration; note also that HIV testing is not required for eligibility for this protocol

End-stage renal disease (ie, on dialysis or dialysis has been recommended)

Pregnancy or women of childbearing potential and men who are sexually active and not willing/able to use medically acceptable forms of contraception

• Internal Medicine

• Oncology (Adult)

• NRG Oncology