OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified by center and nodal status (N0 vs N1-2 vs N3). Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive cisplatin IV on day 1 and fluorouracil IV continuously on days 1-5. Treatment repeats every 3 weeks for 2 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Patients with stable disease after 2 courses or progressive disease at any time proceed to surgery. Patients undergo resection of the primary tumor site and possible nodal dissection no sooner than 2 weeks after completion of chemotherapy. Patients then undergo radiotherapy over 5-6 weeks no later than 8 weeks after surgery. Arm II: Patients undergo surgery and radiotherapy as in arm I. Patients are followed every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for 2 years, and then yearly thereafter.