OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the efficacy (survival and response rates) and toxicity of cisplatin with or without monoclonal antibody C225 in patients with metastatic and/or recurrent squamous cell head and neck cancer. II. Compare the correlation between epidermal growth factor receptor density and response and progression-free survival in these patients. III. Determine the steady state serum levels of monoclonal antibody C225 and the frequency of human antibody response to this monoclonal antibody in patients treated with the combination therapy.