DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically documented squamous cell cancer of the head and neck in the following sites: Hypopharynx Larynx Oral cavity Oropharynx Stage III/IV disease No distant metastases by the following: Chest x-ray (all patients) Liver ultrasound or CT and bone scintigraphy (all hypopharyngeal cancers, those with involved lower neck nodes, and as clinically indicated) Multiple sites of disease eligible provided radiotherapy treatment volume remains acceptable