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
* Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (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