Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, work in different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Tipifarnib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking the enzymes necessary for their growth. Combining tipifarnib with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide may kill more tumor cells. Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of combining tipifarnib with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in treating women who have locally advanced breast cancer.