The southwest oncology group tested cis-platinum, given in 28-day courses of 50 mg/m2 twice, a week apart, in patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the esophagus. Currently 19 patients entered on the study are evaluable for response (15 fully evaluable). Of these, two attained complete disappearance of tumor and four had partial responses. Of the remainder, two had stable disease lasting in excess of 90 days. Hematologic toxicity has been minimal except that three patients required multiple blood transfusions for anemia not due to blood loss. Of 21 patients currently evaluable for renal toxicity, nine had mild, and three had moderate azotemia. These results suggest that, unlike what has been believed in the past, squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is not a chemotherapy-resistant tumor. Further evaluation of cis-platinum alone and in combination with radiotherapy and surgery are in progress.