Chemotherapy Plus Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck or its variants (lymphoepithelioma, undifferentiated epidermoid carcinoma, etc.) Previously untreated Stage III or IV (M0) No exophytic T3 N0 tumors or T1 N1 lesions May be entered after initial induction therapy Evaluable disease Must have received therapy with one of the following induction regimens, except as modified for toxicity: - Cisplatin at least 80 mg/m2/cycle and fluorouracil at least 1000 mg/m2/day for at least 4 days every 4 weeks - Carboplatin at least 300 mg/m2/cycle and fluorouracil at least 1000 mg/m2/day for at least 4 days every 4 weeks - Cisplatin at least 25 mg/m2/day over 5 days, fluorouracil at least 800 mg/m2/day on days 2-5 and leucovorin at least 500 mg/m2/day over 5 days, every 4 weeks

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Over 18 Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Greater than 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 4,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count normal Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL (transfusions permitted, if not used solely for achieving the eligibility criteria) Hepatic: SGOT less than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Total bilirubin and SGOT no greater than 2 times ULN as an isolated value Alkaline phosphatase less than 2.5 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN as an isolated value Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: No acute cardiac dysrhythmias or unstable cardiac conditions such as angina Neurology: No peripheral neuropathy greater than grade 1 Nutritional status: Adequate and nutritionally balanced enteral intake (at least 1,800 kcal/day) No intravenous alimentation as primary source of calories No weight loss of greater than 20% of body weight in past 3 months Other: No prior allergy to polysorbate 80 No other serious illness or medical condition No persistent diarrhea No other prior or concurrent malignancy, unless disease free for at least 5 years, except: Limited basal cell carcinoma of the skin Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin Carcinoma in situ of the cervix Not pregnant or nursing Adequate contraception required of all fertile patients

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy within 5 years other than described in Disease Characteristics No greater than 3 cycles of prior chemotherapy as described in Disease Characteristics Endocrine therapy: Prior hormone therapy allowed Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy for squamous cell cancer of the head and neck Surgery: May have undergone surgery as the sole treatment for disease 2 or more years prior to study