DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven breast cancer including: Stage IV metastatic disease with current partial or complete response to prior induction chemotherapy High risk primary disease with less than 60% chance of progression free survival at 3 years Stage II tumors with 10 or more axillary node involvement Stage IIIA or IIIB tumors No bone marrow metastases No CNS metastases No more than 10 bone metastases Hormone receptor status: Not specified