This study was undertaken to determine whether the Framingham cardiovascular risk prediction model can identify patients who will have reduced 5-year survival after resection for primary lung cancer. The Framingham risk model for predicting cardiovascular death rates in a 5-year period was calculated for 1,981 patients undergoing resection for non-small-cell lung cancer. Receiver operator curve analysis was performed to determine a cutoff with regard to Framingham risk, and this was utilized to construct Kaplan-Meier survival curves for stages I, II, and III. Cox regression analysis was used to determine factors significantly affecting long-term survival. The Framingham risk model predicted that 0.015% to 26.7 % (mean, 5.2%) of our patients would die over a 5-year period. Univariate analysis revealed the Framingham score as being significant for stages I and II, but not III. Cox regression analysis demonstrated age, body mass index, pneumonectomy, stage I, stage III, stage IV, and Framingham score were all significant determinants of 5-year survival. Framingham-based cardiovascular risk prediction in patients undergoing resection for non-small-cell lung cancer stages I and II defined a group with significantly worse 5-year survival.