S0217, Adjuvant Cisplatin and Docetaxel After Complete Resection Stage III or IV Head and Neck Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck * Selected stage III or IV (no distant metastasis) disease * The following TNM stages are excluded: * T3, N0, M0 * T4a, N0, M0 * T4b, N3, M0 * Any T, any N, M1 * Complete total resection within the past 56 days AND has one or more of the following risk factors: * Multiple pathologically confirmed lymph node metastases * One or more lymph nodes with extracapsular extension of tumor * Microscopically positive margin(s) of resection, including mucosal margins and/or soft tissue or deep margins of resection * No primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * Zubrod 0-1 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin ≥ 8.0 g/dL Hepatic * Bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * SGOT or SGPT ≤ 1.5 times ULN * Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine ≤ 1.5 mg/dL OR * Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min Other * No pre-existing peripheral neuropathy * No known history of severe hypersensitiviy reaction to products containing Polysorbate 80 * No other 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 currently in complete remission * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * No prior chemotherapy for the malignancy Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * No prior radiotherapy for the malignancy Surgery * See Disease Characteristics Other * No concurrent amifostine