S0217, Adjuvant Cisplatin and Docetaxel After Complete Resection Stage III or IV Head and Neck Cancer (S0217)

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck Selected stage III or IV (no distant metastasis) disease The following TNM stages are excluded: T3, N0, M0 T4a, N0, M0 T4b, N3, M0 Any T, any N, M1 Complete total resection within the past 56 days AND has one or more of the following risk factors: Multiple pathologically confirmed lymph node metastases One or more lymph nodes with extracapsular extension of tumor Microscopically positive margin(s) of resection, including mucosal margins and/or soft tissue or deep margins of resection No primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age 18 and over Performance status Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3 Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL Hepatic Bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) SGOT or SGPT ≤ 1.5 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN Renal Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min Other No pre-existing peripheral neuropathy No known history of severe hypersensitiviy reaction to products containing Polysorbate 80 No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the cervix, or adequately treated stage I or II cancer currently in complete remission Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy No prior chemotherapy for the malignancy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy for the malignancy Surgery See Disease Characteristics Other No concurrent amifostine