Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and
neck (SCCHN)

- Stage III or IV disease

- Primary tumor in the mesopharynx, hypopharynx, larynx (except T3 N0 tumors of
the glottis), oral cavity, or maxillary sinus

- Completed definitive treatment for SCCHN within the past 3 months, that included any
of the following:

- Surgery

- Chemotherapy

- Biologic therapy

- Radiotherapy (e.g., radiotherapy in combination with chemotherapy or pre- or
postoperative radiotherapy)

- Any other treatment

- No clinical evidence of locoregional tumors or distant metastasis within 3 months
after the completion of definitive treatment

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- ECOG performance status 0-1

- WBC ≥ 3,500/mm^3 AND ≤ 12,000/mm^3

- Neutrophil count ≥ 2,000/mm^3

- Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

- Hemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dL

- AST and ALT < 100 IU/L

- Bilirubin < 1.5 mg/dL

- Creatinine < 1.2 mg/dL

- No uncontrolled cardiovascular disease

- No interstitial pneumonia or pulmonary fibrosis

- Must have sufficient oral intake

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- See Disease Characteristics

- No concurrent biologic therapy, radiotherapy, other chemotherapy, or any other
therapy