OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this review is to evaluate the published literature to assess social inequalities in lung cancer using the ‘cancer disparities grid.’ METHODS: Three computerized databases were searched from January 1990 to December 2009 to identify published English language articles that collected data from study participants living in the United States. Abstracts were reviewed and articles that dealt with social inequality and lung cancer were selected. A total of 96 articles were identified that met the selection criteria. These articles were then classified into the appropriate cell of the cancer disparities grid. RESULTS: The majority of research identified for the grid has focused primarily in domain of inequality, race/ethnicity and racism, and one column of the cancer continuum, cancer treatment. About one-third of the articles focused on multiple aspects of social inequalities. There were few or no published research articles within many of the domains of social inequality along the continuum of lung cancer prevention, treatment, and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: This review found only a modest amount of research has been conducted that has examined the influence of social inequalities on lung cancer. Findings suggest that a multidisciplinary approach is needed to measure and remedy these social inequalities.