Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the breast that is
recurrent or metastatic No CNS metastases Bidimensionally measurable disease required
Patients with bone sites only are not eligible Hormone receptor status: Not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Sex: Women only Menopausal status: Not specified
Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Absolute
granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 mg/dL AST less
than 2.5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than twice upper limit
of normal Other: No allergy to cyclosporine or to drugs formulated with Cremophor (e.g.,
some anesthetics and muscle relaxants) No active unresolved infection More than 7 days
since parenteral antibiotics No second malignancy within 5 years except: In situ cervical
cancer Nonmelanomatous skin cancer No pregnant or nursing women Adequate contraception
required of fertile women

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: Prior
anthracyclines or medical contraindication to anthracycline therapy required No prior
paclitaxel or taxotere No more than 1 prior regimen for metastatic or recurrent disease
Adjuvant chemotherapy within 6 months of diagnosis of metastatic disease considered
therapy for advanced disease At least 3 weeks since chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At
least 3 weeks since hormonal therapy for metastases Radiotherapy: Not specified Surgery:
Not specified Other: No concurrent treatment with any of the following agents proven to
affect blood levels of cyclosporine: Diltiazem Nicardipine Verapamil Fluconazole
Itraconazole Ketoconazole Clarithromycin Erythromycin Methylprednisolone Prednisolone
Allopurinol Bromocriptine Danazol Metoclopramide Nafcillin Rifampin Carbamazepine
Phenobarbital Phenytoin Octreotide Ticlopidine