Gefitinib, Paclitaxel, and Radiation Therapy in Treating Patients With Advanced or Recurrent Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Inclusion criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, nasopharynx, or maxillary sinus * Stage III or IV disease * Distant metastases allowed provided both of the following are true: * Metastases are confined to the head and neck region * Metastases are encompassable in a radiotherapy field with curative intent * Locally recurrent disease after primary surgery allowed * Meets 1 of the following criteria: * Unresectable disease * Patient prefers chemoradiotherapy over surgery * Measurable disease * No brain metastases and/or carcinomatous meningitis PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 18 and over Performance status * Not specified Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * WBC ≥ 3,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin \> 10 g/dL * Platelet count \> 100,000/mm\^3 * Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 Hepatic * Bilirubin \< 2.0 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST/ALT ≤ 2.5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine \< 1.5 times ULN OR * Creatinine clearance ≥ 60 mL/min Cardiovascular * No symptomatic congestive heart failure * No unstable angina pectoris * No cardiac arrhythmia Pulmonary * No clinically active interstitial lung disease * Chronic, stable, asymptomatic radiographic changes allowed Other * No prior allergic reaction attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biological composition to study drugs or Cremophor\^® EL * No AIDS or primary immunodeficiencies * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated squamous cell or basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * Probability of recurrence of the prior malignancy \< 5% * No other concurrent uncontrolled illness * No ongoing or active serious infection * No psychiatric illness or situation that would preclude study compliance or giving informed consent * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * Not specified Chemotherapy * No prior chemotherapy for cancer * No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy * Not specified Radiotherapy * No prior therapeutic radiotherapy to the head and neck region * No prior radiotherapy for cancer Surgery * See Disease Characteristics * At least 4 weeks since prior major surgery and recovered Other * No prior gefitinib or other epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors * More than 4 weeks since prior non-approved or investigational agents * No concurrent administration of any of the following: * Phenytoin * Carbamazepine * Barbiturates * Rifampin * Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) * Oxcarbazepine * Rifapentine * Amifostine * Modafinil * Other CYP3A4 enzyme inducers * Other anticancer agents or investigational drugs * Combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients