In the past there was significant scepticism for the role of chemotherapy in patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nevertheless, randomised trials of the 80’s and the meta-analysis that followed demonstrated that the use of cisplatin improves overall survival and the quality of life of these patients. Later, the introduction of newer cytotoxic agents, such as gemcitabine, paclitaxel, docetaxel and vinorelbine established the role of chemotherapy as main treatment of inoperable NSCLC patients. We thoroughly reviewed the efficacy and toxicity of the most commonly used chemotherapy agents and we present data οf ongoing studies. Pneumon 2003, 16(3):285-288.