Histologically confirmed primary invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix Previously untreated disease Any cell type Stage IB2, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, or IVA Para-aortic lymph nodes negative by radiologic evaluation or by biopsy if CT scan is suspicious for adenopathy No known metastases to scalene nodes or other organs outside the radiotherapy field Study enrollment within 8 weeks of diagnosis Performance status - GOG 0-2 Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal SGOT no greater than 3 times normal Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL No renal abnormalities (e.g., pelvic kidney, horseshoe kidney, or renal transplantation) that would require modification of radiotherapy fields No bilateral ureteral obstruction allowed unless treated with stent or nephrostomy tube Not pregnant Fertile patients must use effective contraception No septicemia or severe infection No circumstance that would preclude study completion or follow-up No other malignancy within the past 5 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy No prior pelvic or abdominal radiotherapy No prior therapy for this malignancy