From May to February 1992, 32 patients diagnosed as advanced cancer of the head and neck were included in a program of neoadjuvant treatment with cisplatin, 5-FU, and folinic acid, followed by radiotherapy (45 at 70 Gy) and/or surgery. Twenty patients were considered fully evaluable; their global response rate was 75% (7 complete responses and 8 partial responses). Five patients had no appreciable response or progression. Radiotherapy after chemotherapy enhanced the response, yielding complete responses in 4 patients and partial response in 1. Toxicity was moderate, except for mucositis (9 cases grade 3-4), despite high doses of drugs and radiotherapy. Given the clinical results, this combination may be promising as a first-line treatment against advanced cancer of the head and neck.