Docetaxel and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Stage II or Stage III Cancer of the Larynx or Hypopharynx

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx or hypopharynx Stage II or III disease Solitary lymph node metastasis located in level II-III allowed Age 70 and over OR meets 1 of the following criteria: Creatinine clearance 30-60 mL/min History of platinum allergy Diagnosis of unstable angina Ineligible for systemic chemotherapy, including high-dose platinum-containing regimens PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age See Disease Characteristics Performance status ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy Not specified Hematopoietic WBC > 3,000/mm^3 Neutrophil count > 1,500/mm^3 Hemoglobin > 10 g/dL Platelet count > 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic AST and ALT ≤ 2.0 times upper limit of normal Bilirubin < 2.0 mg/dL No severe liver disease Renal See Disease Characteristics Creatinine clearance ≥ 30 mL/min No severe renal disease Pulmonary No severe pulmonary disease Other No severe neurologic disease PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy Not specified Chemotherapy No prior systemic chemotherapy Endocrine therapy Not specified Radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy Surgery No prior surgery