We have previously reported results for treatment of adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas of the mid and distal esophagus as well as the use of intraluminal high-dose rate radiation (HDR-RT) for palliation of carcinoma of the esophagus. In this report we describe the results of a chemotherapy/HDR-RT/esophagectomy management program. Examination of the surgical specimens revealed a complete response in only 13% of patients and locoregional recurrence was disappointing. There were no operative deaths nor were there major complications attributable to the preoperative treatment. Two-year survival was 33%, only slightly better than that previously achieved by us with either primary surgery or primary external beam radiation among "curative" candidates with locoregional disease. HDR in combination with our selected chemotherapy regimen is insufficient for locoregional control and must be supplemented either by esophagectomy or external beam radiation for even modest long-term survival.