OUTLINE: This is a multicenter, dose-escalation study of motexafin gadolinium (PCI-0120). Patients receive PCI-0120 IV over 15 minutes 3 times weekly concurrently with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) 5 days a week for 5.5 weeks. After completion of EBRT and PCI-0120, patients may undergo radiotherapy boost for 5 consecutive days. Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of PCI-0120 until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 3 or 2 of 6 patients experience dose-limiting toxicity. A total of 6-12 patients are treated at the recommended phase II dose. The recommended phase II dose is defined as the dose immediately preceding the MTD. Patients are followed at 4 weeks.