OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the effect of intratumoral injection of a cisplatin/epinephrine gel (CDDP-e TI) to placebo gel for local control of recurrent or refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. II. Assess achievement of a preselected (by the investigator) treatment goal for the most troublesome tumor in patients with recurrent or refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck following up to 6 weekly intratumoral treatments with CDDP-e TI vs. placebo gel. III. Compare the effect of CDDP-e TI to placebo gel on total local tumor volume per patient. IV. Evaluate the time to response and time to progression for the most troublesome tumor after local treatment with CDDP-e TI vs. placebo gel. V. Assess the improvement in or stabilization of quality of life in these patients as measured by the FACT-H&N questionnaire. VI. Compare the histopathology of injected lesions that respond to local treatment.