DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Biopsy-proven, previously untreated, squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic and supraglottic larynx that would normally require total laryngectomy Stage III/IV disease (excluding T1 and M1) Endoscopic tumor staging required within 4 weeks of entry Tumors must be considered resectable and potentially curable with conventional surgery and radiotherapy T4 disease limited to: Up to 1 cm invasion of the base of tongue Questionable cartilage invasion on CT (clinically T3) Measurable disease required No synchronous primary tumors No subglottic tumors