OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the complete local remission rate in patients with unresectable stage I, II, or III esophageal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy with or without endoluminal brachytherapy. II. Compare the complete remission rate (local, locoregional, and distant) in these patients. III. Compare the overall and disease-free survival in these patients at 2 and 5 years after therapy. IV. Compare the toxicity and quality of life experienced by these patients.