Background: Numerous studies have investigated the association of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) rs1799750 single nucleotide polymorphism with lung cancer susceptibility, but the findings are inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate any possible association. Methods: We searched publications from MEDLINE, EMBASE and CNKI databases which assessed links between the MMP1 rs1799750 polymorphism and lung cancer risk. We calculated the pooled odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI) using either fixed-effects or random-effects models. Results: The meta-analysis was based on 9 publications encompassing 4,823 cases and 4,298 controls. The overall results suggested there was a significant association between the MMP1 rs1799750 polymorphism and lung cancer risk (1G vs. 2G: OR = 0.83, 95%CI = 0.73-0.94; 1G1G vs. 2G2G: OR = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.59-0.92; 1G1G vs. 1G2G/2G2G: OR = 0.87, 95%CI = 0.79-0.97; 1G1G/1G2G vs. 2G2G: OR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.64-0.95). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the association was still obvious in Asians (all P values < 0.05), but there was no association in Caucasians (all P values > 0.05). Conclusions: The MMP1 rs1799750 polymorphism is associated with decreased lung cancer risk, and a race-specific effect may exist in this association.