PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy No more than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease Prior total doxorubicin dose no greater than 180 mg/m2 Prior total paclitaxel dose no greater than 750 mg/m2 Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No prior radiotherapy to the left chest wall No prior radiotherapy to greater than 20% of bone marrow (excluding syngeneic transplantation candidates) Surgery: Not specified