PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent biologic response modifiers Chemotherapy: Prior adjuvant chemotherapy allowed No more than 1 prior chemotherapy regimen for metastatic disease No prior taxane (docetaxel or paclitaxel) Prior doxorubicin allowed if total dose less than 250 mg/m2 No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Prior hormonal therapy allowed No concurrent hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy No prior cumulative radiotherapy to more than 25% of bone marrow No concurrent radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: At least 7 days since prior antibiotics No other concurrent investigational drugs No other concurrent antineoplastic therapy No concurrent parenteral antibiotics