Twenty-one patients with unresectable, previously untreated or treated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were given cisdiamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin). On day 1, they received a low dose of bleomycin (15 mg/m2) and methotrexate (20 mg/m2), on day 2 a high dose of cisplatin (120 mg/m2). Even very old patients in poor general condition tolerated up to 5 therapy courses with intervals of at least 3 weeks. With a present survival rate of up to 16 months the toxicity was more acceptable and the tumor response considerably better than with the combined bleomycin-methotrexate chemotherapy. The effect of cisplatin in our patients confirms experiences in the USA for several years with malignant tumors in various areas.