DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed metastatic or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, lip, hypopharynx, oropharynx, nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity, nostril, or larynx that is not curable by surgery or radiation therapy Must have one or more measurable indicator lesions Bone metastases, brain metastases, elevated enzyme levels and lesions on radionuclide scans are not acceptable as the sole parameters of measurable disease