DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed resectable adenocarcinoma of the breast Histologically positive lymph nodes (1 to 3) OR Lymph node negative and high risk disease Tumor greater than 1.0 cm diameter May have undergone an axillary dissection with at least 6 nodes removed and examined or a sentinel node biopsy Patients who are positive by sentinel node biopsy will receive an axillary dissection No locally advanced or inflammatory or metastatic breast cancer Hormone receptor status: Not specified