OUTLINE: This is a randomized study. Patients are stratified by node status (positive vs negative), menopause status (pre- vs post), estrogen receptor (ER) status/progesterone receptor (PR) status (ER/PR unknown vs ER+/PR+ vs ER+/PR- vs ER-/PR+ vs ER-/PR-). Patients in arm I receive doxorubicin IV plus docetaxel IV over 1 hour every 3 weeks for 4 treatment courses. Patients in arm II receive doxorubicin IV plus cyclophosphamide IV every 3 weeks for 4 treatment courses. All patients who are estrogen receptor or progesterone receptor positive receive oral tamoxifen daily for 5 years following chemotherapy. Some patients may also receive radiotherapy following chemotherapy. Patients are followed every 3 months if patient is less than 2 years from study entry; every 6 months if patient is 2-5 years from study entry; and every 12 months if patient is greater than 5 years from study entry.