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

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed squamous cell cancer of the head and neck * Metastatic or recurrent disease * Not amenable to surgery or radiotherapy * Unidimensionally measurable disease * At least 1 lesion at least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by CT scan * No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * ECOG 0-2 OR * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy * More than 3 months Hematopoietic * WBC at least 3,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin normal * AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal * Creatinine normal OR * Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No history of allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to perifosine * No ongoing or active infection * No other concurrent uncontrolled illness * No psychiatric illness or social situation that would limit compliance with study requirements PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * No more than 1 prior biologic/targeted regimen for recurrent or metastatic disease Chemotherapy * No more than 1 prior adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy and/or concurrent chemoradiotherapy regimen * No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for recurrent or metastatic disease * At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin) Radiotherapy * At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy Other * Recovered from prior therapy * No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients * No other concurrent investigational agents * No other concurrent anticancer agents or therapies