OBJECTIVES:  The study was aimed to evaluate the total indirect costs of lung cancer (LC) and burden of disease during 2015 in Russia. This data could help to improve reimbursement processes and decision-making. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed to obtain the following information: employment, length of hospital stay, average value of a statistical life, indicators of morbidity and mortality by age group and stage of LC. Finally, obtained data were used in cost-of-illness analysis. The total indirect costs of LC were calculated using two different approaches: the human-capital and friction-costs method. The cost of illness was calculated by a bottom-up approach. The global burden of LC was also assessed in terms of DALYs. The rate of discounting was 5%. RESULTS:  In 2015, the indirect costs of LC were estimated at $1 689 million ($12 621 per patient) using human-capital method. The costs were more than six times higher in males than in females. Total annual indirect costs were evaluated at $14 million ($506 per patient) using friction-cost method. The DALYs burden for LC reached 1 307 837 years, including years of life lost due to premature mortality (14 744) and years lost due to disability (1 293 093). The cost in terms of DALYs was also estimated using the average cost of a statistical life, which was $73 484. The global burden of LC using DALYs and the average cost of a statistical life was estimated at $1 344 million. CONCLUSIONS:  LC is a leading cause of cancer mortality and represents a significant burden of disease. The results suggest that LC deserve more attention from policymakers.