Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (excluding lip,
nasopharynx, paranasal sinus, and salivary gland) by biopsy or fine needle aspirate
of the primary lesion or neck mass

- Stage III or IV disease

- No evidence of distant metastases

- Negative chest x-ray

- Primary site in the head and neck region must be identified

- No unknown primary site

- Considered to be appropriate for definitive radiotherapy with curative intent

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age

- 18 and over

Performance status

- Zubrod 0-1

Life expectancy

- Not specified

Hematopoietic

- Granulocyte count greater than 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic

- Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times ULN

- ALT or AST less than 1.5 times ULN

Renal

- Creatinine less than 1.5 mg/dL

Cardiovascular

- No myocardial infarction within the past 3 months

- No unstable or uncontrolled angina

Other

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No other prior malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal
cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately
treated stage I or II cancer currently in complete remission

- No evidence of pre-existing peripheral neuropathy

- No active systemic infection

- No history of hypersensitivity reaction to products containing polysorbate 80

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

- Not specified

Chemotherapy

- No prior chemotherapy

Endocrine therapy

- Not specified

Radiotherapy

- See Disease Characteristics

- No prior radiotherapy

Surgery

- No prior surgery for head or neck cancer