Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically or cytologically documented invasive carcinoma of the breast*

- Tumor ≥ 2 cm in greatest dimension (e.g., T2-4) and any nodal status (e.g.,
N0-3), including locally advanced disease, as defined by the following criteria:

- Primary tumor ≥ 5 cm

- Tumor of any size with direct extension to the chest wall or skin

- Inflammatory breast cancer (T4d)

- Metastasis to ipsilateral internal mammary node

- Ipsilateral lymph nodes that are clinically fixed to each other or to other
structures (N2) NOTE: *Diagnosis may be made by core or tru-cut biopsies

- Measurable or evaluable tumor

- Measurable disease is defined as any mass that can be reproducibly measured in
two perpendicular dimensions

- Evaluable disease is defined as any lesion visible by mammogram or palpable by
physical exam that does not fit the above criteria of measurability

- Planning to undergo breast conservation surgery

- Willing to undergo AND is a candidate for radiotherapy, in the judgement of the
treating radiation oncologist

- No evidence of distant metastatic disease (e.g., lung, liver, bone, brain)

- Hormone receptor status not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- Menopausal status not specified

- ECOG performance status 0-1

- WBC ≥ 3,000/mm^3

- Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3

- Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 times ULN

- Left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 45%

- Not pregnant or nursing

- Negative pregnancy test

- Fertile patients must use effective contraception

- No other malignancies within the past 5 years, except curatively treated
nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix

- No history of hypersensitivity reaction to products containing polysorbate 80 (Tween
80)

- No serious medical illness that, in the judgment of the treating physician, places
the patient at risk

- No peripheral neuropathy ≥ grade 2

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- Prior tamoxifen as chemoprevention allowed

- No prior radiotherapy to the ipsilateral breast

- Prior radiotherapy to the contralateral breast is allowed

- No prior chemotherapy