OBJECTIVE Cisplatin, mitolactol (dibromodulcitol), and ifosfamide have been the most active single agents in squamous carcinoma of the cervix identified so far by the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG). Combinations of cisplatin plus ifosfamide and cisplatin plus mitolactol are prospectively compared with cisplatin alone. METHODS Patients were randomized to receive cisplatin 50 mg/m2 or the same dose of cisplatin plus mitolactol (C + M) 180 mg/m2 orally on days 2 to 6, or cisplatin plus ifosfamide (CIFX) 5 g/m2 given as a 24-hour infusion plus mesna 6 g/m2 during and for 12 hours after the ifosfamide infusion, every 3 weeks for up to six courses. Of 454 patients entered, 438 were eligible and analyzed for response and survival. RESULTS CIFX had a higher response rate (31.1% v 17.8%, p = .004) and longer progression-free survival (PFS) time (P = .003) compared with cisplatin alone. The median times to progression or death were 4.6 and 3.2 months, respectively. C + M showed no significant improvement in these parameters compared with cisplatin alone. Survival was associated with initial performance score (PS; 0 was more favorable; P < .001) and with age (younger was unfavorable, P = .025). There was no significant difference in overall survival between cisplatin and either of the combinations. Leukopenia, renal toxicity, peripheral neurotoxicity, and CNS toxicity were more frequent with CIFX (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS CIFX improved the response rate and PFS duration in advanced cervix cancer compared with cisplatin alone, but at the cost of greater toxicity and with no improvement in survival.