OUTLINE: Patients receive docetaxel intravenous (IV) over 1 hour and carboplatin IV over 30 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 21 days for 3 courses. After hematologic recovery from chemotherapy, patients receive radiotherapy 5 days a week for up to 7 weeks. Beginning 3-4 weeks later, patients receive another 3 courses of docetaxel and carboplatin.