OBJECTIVES: Impaired cardiopulmonary reserve is the main cause of inoperability in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aims to evaluate the role of a preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation (PPR) programme in the improvement of functional parameters, which can enable an increase in the number of patients eligible for surgery. METHODS: From January 2008 to June 2011, we observed a uniform group of 27 patients with NSCLC and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It showed: (i) a body mass index of 21.5 ± 2 kg/m²; (ii) forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) of 1.14 ± 0.7 l; (iii) maximal peak of oxygen consumption (VO(2)max) of 12.9 ± 1.8 ml/kg/min; (iv) carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) of 72 ± 3% predicted; (v) stage IB of lung cancer. All patients underwent a 4-week PPR programme, 6 days a week and were re-evaluated before inclusion for surgery. RESULTS: The rehabilitation programme was completed by all patients and extended by 2 weeks in nine patients, in order to obtain a further functional improvement. A statistically significant increase has been in the values of PaO(2) (60 ± 10 vs. 82 ± 12 mmHg), of VO(2)max (12.9 ± 1.8 vs. 19.2 ± 2.1 ml/kg/min, P = 0.00001) and of FEV(1) (1.14 ± 0.7 vs. 1.65 ± 0.8 l, P = 0.02). All patients underwent a lobectomy, with a postoperative morbidity of 15%. CONCLUSIONS: A 4 to 6-week PPR programme prepares the NSCLC and COPD patients properly for the surgical approach, reducing the functional limitations of inoperability.