OUTLINE: Patients receive leucovorin calcium IV continuously on days 1-5.5, interferon alfa subcutaneously daily on days 1-6, cisplatin IV over 6 hours on day 1, and fluorouracil IV continuously on days 1-5. Treatment continues every 21 days for 3 courses in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Approximately 4 weeks after chemotherapy, esophagectomy is performed in patients without evidence of locally advanced unresectable esophageal cancer or distant metastases. Patients determined to have residual disease following esophagectomy will be considered for radiotherapy. Patients not undergoing esophagectomy receive chemoradiotherapy 21-28 days after completion of initial chemotherapy. Patients receive oral hydroxyurea every 12 hours on days 0-5 and fluorouracil IV continuously on days 1-5. Patients undergo radiotherapy to esophagus daily on days 1-5. Treatment continues every 14 days for 7 courses in the absence of unacceptable toxicity. Patients are followed every 6 months for 2 years.