OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients are stratified by stage, performance of para-aortic lymphadenectomy, and brachytherapy method (HDR vs LDR). Prior to treatment patients complete a questionnaire regarding past and present smoking history and exposure to secondhand smoke. In arm I, patients undergo external radiation therapy to the pelvis once daily 5 times a week for 5 weeks. Then, patients receive either low dose rate or high dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy in one or two applications or 5 fractions once or twice a week, respectively. If intracavitary radiation therapy cannot be performed, then shrinking field technique is executed. In addition, patients receive parametrial boost once daily for 3 to 5 days during intracavitary brachytherapy. Concurrently, patients receive IV cisplatin once a week for 5 weeks beginning on day 1 of external radiation therapy and once during the parametrial boost. Patients in arm II receive external radiation therapy and brachytherapy as previously described. [Arm II closed 8/18/98] In arm III, patients undergo external radiation therapy as described in arm I. In addition, patients receive prolonged venous infusion (PVI) fluorouracil daily for 5 days during external beam radiation therapy (whole pelvis and parametrial boost). If all 6 courses of cisplatin or fluorouracil cannot be administered during external radiation therapy, then the sixth course of chemotherapy will be given during brachytherapy. Patients are followed every 3 months for the first 2 years, then every 6 months for the next 3 years, then annually until death.