Irinotecan and Docetaxel in Treating Patients With Metastatic or Locally Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed carcinoma of the head and neck * Squamous cell carcinoma * No WHO grade II or III nasopharyngeal carcinoma (well-differentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma allowed) * Metastatic or locally recurrent disease considered to be incurable by locoregional therapy * Unidimensionally measurable disease outside previously irradiated field unless documented progressive disease or histologically confirmed residual carcinoma at least 8 weeks after completion of radiotherapy PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * ECOG 0-1 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin normal * AST and ALT less than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) and alkaline phosphatase normal OR * Alkaline phosphatase less than 4 times ULN and AST and ALT normal Renal: * Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after study participation * No active infection * No pre-existing grade 2 or greater peripheral neuropathy * No other concurrent medical condition that would preclude study participation * No hypersensitivity to drugs formulated with Polysorbate 80 * No other malignancy within the past 3 years except curatively treated squamous cell or basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 2 weeks since prior biologic therapy * Any number of prior biologic therapies (e.g., chimeric antibodies or kinase inhibitors) allowed * No concurrent filgrastim (G-CSF) Chemotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy * No prior docetaxel or irinotecan * No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for recurrent or metastatic disease Endocrine therapy: * Not specified Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy for recurrent or metastatic disease and recovered Surgery: * Recovered from prior surgery Other: * No concurrent antiepileptics * No concurrent cyclosporine