Flavopiridol in Treating Patients With Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck Metastatic disease at diagnosis OR Persistent, metastatic, or recurrent disease after prior definitive surgery and/or radiotherapy No undifferentiated and nonkeratinizing carcinomas, including lymphoepitheliomas of all locations No nasopharynx tumors Bidimensionally measurable disease Patients whose only measurable disease is within a prior radiotherapy port must have clearly progressive disease No metastatic or leptomeningeal CNS disease PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Platelet count greater than 100,000/mm^3 Absolute granulocyte count greater than 1,500/mm^3 Hepatic: See Other (Prior/Concurrent Therapy) SGOT and SGPT less than 2.5 times normal Bilirubin less than 1.5 times normal No history of hypercoagulopathies (e.g., protein C deficiency, protein S deficiency, or lupus anticoagulant) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Calcium no greater than normal No hypercalcemia refractory to bisphosphonates Cardiovascular: No unstable or newly diagnosed angina pectoris No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No class II-IV congestive heart failure No history of symptomatic carotid disease No concurrent asymptomatic carotid artery occlusion (70% or greater) in one or both arteries by Doppler ultrasound No symptomatic atherosclerosis No thrombotic events within the past 6 months Pulmonary: No aspirin-induced asthma Other: No inability to take aspirin or clopidogrel bisulfate due to contraindications, allergies, or pre-existing medical conditions (e.g., active peptic ulcer disease or history of undiagnosed non-occult, non-hemorrhoidal gastrointestinal or other bleeding sources within the past 6 months) No other prior 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 that is currently in complete remission HIV negative Not pregnant or nursing Negative pregnancy test Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent biologic therapy Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered No prior flavopiridol No more than 3 prior systemic chemotherapy regimens for recurrent or metastatic disease No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent hormonal therapy except oral contraceptives Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior surgery and recovered No prior carotid endarterectomy or other revascularization surgery Other: No other concurrent antineoplastic therapies No active anticoagulation with INR 1.5 or greater No low-molecular weight heparin or equivalent Concurrent bisphosphonates for calcium maintenance allowed