DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed metastatic or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck that is incurable by surgery or radiotherapy At least 1 lesion measurable in at least 1 dimension At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR At least 10 mm by CT scan No known brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: More than 3 months Hematopoietic: WBC at least 3,000/mm3 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin normal AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Cardiovascular: No symptomatic congestive heart failure No unstable angina pectoris No cardiac arrhythmia Other: Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception No history of allergic reactions to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to ZD 1839 No active infection No other uncontrolled illness No psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior epidermal growth factor receptor-based therapy for recurrent disease Chemotherapy: No more than 1 prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or chemoradiotherapy regimen At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) and recovered Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics See Chemotherapy At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: See Disease Characteristics Other: No more than 1 prior regimen for recurrent disease No other concurrent investigational agents No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV