Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically proven previously untreated invasive carcinoma of the uterine cervix

- Squamous cell carcinoma

- Adenosquamous carcinoma

- Adenocarcinoma

- TNM classification stage IIIB or IVA (FIGO classification stage IB, IIA, IIB, IIIA,
IIIB, or IVA)

- Cytologically or histologically proven metastases to the para-aortic lymph nodes

- No more than 8 weeks since diagnosis

- No metastases to scalene nodes, intraperitoneal metastases, or metastases to other
organs outside the radiation field at the time of original clinical and surgical
staging

- Negative CT scan of the chest

- Patients with ureteral obstruction must be treated with stent or nephrostomy tube

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

- 18 and over

Performance status:

- GOG 0-2

Life expectancy:

- At least 6 months

Hematopoietic:

- Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3

- Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3

Hepatic:

- Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times normal

- SGOT no greater than 3 times normal

Renal:

- Creatinine less than 2.0 mg/dL

- No renal abnormalities (e.g., pelvic kidney, horseshoe kidney, or renal
transplantation) requiring modification of radiation fields

Other:

- Not pregnant

- No septicemia or severe infection

- No other invasive malignancy within the past 3 years except nonmelanoma skin cancer

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

- Not specified

Chemotherapy:

- No prior cytotoxic chemotherapy for this or other malignancy

Endocrine therapy:

- Not specified

Radiotherapy:

- No prior radiotherapy for this or other malignancy

- No prior radiotherapy to pelvis or abdomen

Surgery:

- Not specified

Other:

- No other prior therapy for this malignancy