The incidence of lung cancer in China increases annually, and effective targets for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer are urgently needed. miRNAs are currently considered to be involved in the regulation of tumor development and growth. miR‑24 has been found to contribute to the development of several tumors. Menin is a key tumor suppressor gene, and its expression is generally low in lung cancer. The effects of miR‑24 on the biological behavior of lung cancer cells were detected by MTT and Transwell assays. In the present study, miR‑24 was found to be associated with menin, affecting the activity of the SMAD3 pathway in lung cancer by inhibiting menin expression. miR‑24 may promote the growth and metastasis and inhibit the apoptosis of lung cancer cells by targeting menin. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to provide a new theoretical basis for the targeted therapy of lung cancer.