DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven locally advanced (surgically unresectable) or metastatic squamous cell of the esophagus or carcinoma of the stomach Patients with tumor extension below the GE junction into the proximal stomach must have the bulk of the tumor involve the esophagus or GE junction Bidimensionally measurable or evaluable disease No CNS metastases or carcinomatous meningitis No bone metastases (Closed to adenocarcinoma of the esophagus as of 05/1998)