OUTLINE: Patients undergo surgical resection of gross disease (if not already done) followed by 4-6 weeks of rest. Patients receive radiotherapy over 5 consecutive days on weeks 1, 2, 4, and 5. Intravenous cisplatin is administered on days 1-3 and 29-31. Intravenous amifostine is administered 15-30 minutes prior to radiotherapy and cisplatin therapy. Patients receive fluorouracil IV continuously on days 1-4 and 29-32.