OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to participating center, tumor stage, and chemotherapy. All patients receive fluorouracil IV continuously over 4 days (days 1-4) and/or cisplatin on day 2 of weeks 1 and 5. External beam radiotherapy begins on day 1 of chemotherapy and is delivered in daily fractions, 5 days per week, for 5 weeks, followed by a cone down dose administered during week 6. Patients randomized to brachytherapy (Iridium 192, high-dose rate) are treated on weeks 11 and 12 and receive 2 additional courses of chemotherapy at weeks 9 and 14. Patients randomized to no brachytherapy receive additional chemotherapy courses on weeks 9 and 13. Quality of life is assessed. Patients are followed every 6 months for 2 years and then annually for 3 years years.