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