OBJECTIVES: I. Compare the effects of 4 courses of epirubicin followed by 4 courses of cyclophosphamide/methotrexate/fluorouracil (CMF) versus 8 courses of CMF as adjuvant chemotherapy in women with node positive early breast cancer, as measured by overall and event free survival from the date or randomization. II. Compare the effects of 4 courses of epirubicin followed by 4 courses of CMF with 8 courses of CMF as adjuvant chemotherapy in these patients, as measured by acute and chronic toxicities. III. Compare the effects of 4 courses of epirubicin followed by 4 courses of CMF versus 8 courses of CMF as adjuvant chemotherapy in these patients, as measured by quality of life.