Objective　To compare the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel-carboplatin (TAX-CBP) and paclitaxel-cisplatin (TAX-DDP) chemotherapy protocols for advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Methods　One hundred and twenty-six patients with non-small cell lung cancer were randomized into TAX-DDP and TAX-CBP groups. TAX-CBP group: TAX 175*!mg／m2 and CBP 350*!mg／m2, d1 iv; TAX-DDP group: TAX 175*!mg／m2 and DDP 100*!mg／m2 d1 iv. The therapy was repeated every 28 days. The response rate was assessed after three treatments. Results　TAX-CBP group: response rate (RR) was 36％ (22／61), 1-year survival rate was 34.1％. TAX-DDP group: RR was 33.9％ (21／62),1-year survival rate was 33.1％. There was no significant difference of RR and 1-year survival rate between TAX-CBP and TAX-DDP group (P＞0.05). The median survival time of TAX-CBP group (11.2 months) was significant higher than that of TAX-DDP group (9 months) (P＜0.05). The major toxicity associated with paclitaxel included alpecia, myelosuppression, gastrointestinal reaction and myalgia or arthralgia. The thrombocytopenia in TAX-CBP group was more severe than that in TAX-DDP group (P＜0.05). The Gastrointestinal and myalgia or arthralgia in TAX-DDP group were more severe than those in TAX-CBP group (P＜0.05). Conclusion　TAX-CBP and TAX-DDP chemotherapy may be used as first choice protocol in the chemotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer.