is it possible to recover ios using ipsw from itunes while my iphone is in recovery mode?

If you are attempting to use an ipsw other than the current iOS 7.0.4, it will not work. You cannot force the installation of another ipsw. Apple is no longer signing anything but the current iOS for your device. If you have an iPhone 5 as stated in your profile, then that iOS is 7.0.4. The force will only result in an error and lock up your phone.

Do not try to independently download any ipsw file. Let iTunes figure out exactly what type of device you have and download the correct file for you based on what it finds.

Simply place your iPhone into recovery mode and (if it is not hacked or jailbroken, and if you have a current iTunes) all that will happen for you.

Yes, it could be you are not using current enough iTunes.

Get the current 11.1.3 version at http://www.apple.com/itunes/download

I recommend deleting the ipsw file and start the process over.

As I said earlier, you should let iTunes find and download the correct ipsw file.

There is some way to simply download the iOS (as compared to download and install).

If you download and install, you are required to keep the iPhone attached to iTunes throughout the download. If you simply download, there is an "eject" button that shows up during the download, and you may press that and remove the iPhone from iTunes. I suggest this latter approach. Then once the download completes, you can reconnect the iPhone to iTunes and complete the process.

Are you running iTunes 11.1.3?

Has your iPhone ever been hacked or jailbroken?

Not necessarily -- you are not that far behind.