Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically proven locally recurrent primary squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the
head and neck or second primary SCC of the head and neck

- More than 1 prior recurrence allowed if the first recurrence occurred at least 6
months after completion of prior radiotherapy

- Disease must be confined to the head and neck (above the clavicles)

- No primary SCC of the nasopharynx or salivary gland

- Prior irradiation of 45-75 Gy to the majority (75% or greater) of tumor volume

- Entire tumor volume must be included in a treatment field that limits the total
spinal cord dose (prior and anticipated) to 50 Gy

- Prior radiotherapy records, including simulation and portal films, available in
order to assure that cord tolerance is not exceeded

- Measurable disease

- Ineligible for complete surgical resection

- No distant metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- Zubrod 0 or 1

Life expectancy:

- No other concurrent illness that would limit survival

Hematopoietic:

- Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

- SGOT and SGPT no greater than 2 times normal*

- Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times normal*

- * Greater than 2 times normal allowed if no metastases by liver ultrasound or CT scan

Renal:

- Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL

Other:

- No other invasive malignancy within the past 2 years except in situ malignancies
(e.g., carcinoma in situ of the cervix, carcinoma in situ of the breast, or
nonmelanoma skin cancer)

- No other concurrent illness that would impair tolerance to therapy

- No grade 2 or worse pre-existing peripheral sensory neuropathy

- No hypersensitivity to E. coli derived products

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Not specified

Chemotherapy:

- Prior chemotherapy allowed as a component of the primary treatment

- No prior chemotherapy for recurrent disease

- At least 6 months since prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy:

- Not specified

Radiotherapy:

- See Disease Characteristics

- At least 6 months since prior radiotherapy

Surgery:

- See Disease Characteristics