This pilot clinical trial studies the side effects and how well stereotactic radiosurgery followed by wedge resection works in treating patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer that is located in the outer, or peripheral, areas of the lung. Stereotactic radiosurgery, also known as stereotactic body radiation therapy, is a specialized radiation therapy that delivers a single, high dose of radiation directly to the tumor and may kill more tumor cells and cause less damage to normal tissue. Wedge resection is a less invasive type of surgery for removal of the tumor and a small amount of normal tissue around it. Giving stereotactic radiosurgery followed by wedge resection may be a safe treatment option for patients who cannot receive standard treatment with lobectomy.