Objective To investigate the quality of life of inpatients with lung cancer and its influencing factors. Methods A total of 120 inpatients with lung cancer in Department of Respiratory Medicine of Changhai Hospital of Navy Medical University (Second Military Medical University) from Sep. 2016 to Mar. 2017 were surveyed. The Chinese version of EORTC QLQ-C30 and lung cancer specific module QLQ-LC13 were used to assess the quality of life of the inpatients. The multiple linear regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors influencing life quality, with the general data of the inpatients as independent variables and the scores of various domains of life quality as dependent variables. Results A total of 95 valid questionnaires were recovered, and the response rate was 79.2%. Gender, age, occupation, residence, number of children, smoking, drinking, tumor staging, metastasis, with or without concomitant diseases and frequency of chemotherapy were related to the scores of different domains of life quality (P<0.05). Patients with younger age (<50 years old) had higher symptom scores of anorexia (β=-8.266), diarrhea (β=-5.263), and dysphagia (β=-6.307). Female patients had a lower score of cognitive function (β=-11.270), and had higher symptom scores of nausea/vomiting (β=11.725) and anorexia (β=17.090) versus male patients. Patients with advanced tumor stage (Ⅳ) or without occupation both had higher symptom scores of diarrhea (β=2.070, 7.130). Patients with frequent chemotherapies (more than six times) had a higher symptom score of pain (β=5.871). Patients with concomitant diseases had a lower score of overall health status (β=-17.239), and had higher symptom scores of peripheral neuropathy (β=11.970) and pain in the chest (β=11.061). Smoking patients had a higher symptom score of dyspnea (β=21.151). Drinking patients had a higher symptom score of constipation (β=13.525). Patients with tumor metastasis had a higher score of role function (β=15.039). Residence was associated with several domains of life quality; inpatients in Shanghai had better life quality. Patients with large number of children (≥ 2) were more emotionally stable (β=10.078). Conclusion Patients with lung cancer should be concerned about their physical condition and psychological condition during treatment. It is necessary to provide corresponding social support and psychological counseling based on the individual characteristics in order to improve the quality of life and prognosis of lung cancer patients.