Paclitaxel, Cisplatin, and Filgrastim Combined With Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Locally Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven locally recurrent primary squamous cell cancer (SCC) of the head and neck or second primary SCC of the head and neck * More than 1 prior recurrence allowed if the first recurrence occurred at least 6 months after completion of prior radiotherapy * Disease must be confined to the head and neck (above the clavicles) * No primary SCC of the nasopharynx or salivary gland * Prior irradiation of 45-75 Gy to the majority (75% or greater) of tumor volume * Entire tumor volume must be included in a treatment field that limits the total spinal cord dose (prior and anticipated) to 50 Gy * Prior radiotherapy records, including simulation and portal films, available in order to assure that cord tolerance is not exceeded * Measurable disease * Ineligible for complete surgical resection * No distant metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Zubrod 0 or 1 Life expectancy: * No other concurrent illness that would limit survival Hematopoietic: * Granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL * Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) no greater than 2 times normal\* * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2 times normal\* * \* Greater than 2 times normal allowed if no metastases by liver ultrasound or CT scan Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL Other: * No other invasive malignancy within the past 2 years except in situ malignancies (e.g., carcinoma in situ of the cervix, carcinoma in situ of the breast, or nonmelanoma skin cancer) * No other concurrent illness that would impair tolerance to therapy * No grade 2 or worse pre-existing peripheral sensory neuropathy * No hypersensitivity to E. coli derived products * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * Prior chemotherapy allowed as a component of the primary treatment * No prior chemotherapy for recurrent disease * At least 6 months since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 6 months since prior radiotherapy Surgery: * See Disease Characteristics