Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer Newly
diagnosed or progressive metastatic disease with at least 1 metastatic target lesion No
known clinical brain or leptomeningeal metastasis Phase I entry: Measurable and/or
evaluable disease with an indicator lesion outside prior radiotherapy field Phase II
entry: (closed as of 03/27/2000) Bidimensionally measurable disease with an indicator
lesion outside prior radiotherapy field At least 1 x 1 cm on chest x-ray At least 2 x 2 cm
on CT scan or ultrasound Skin lesion or node at least 1 x 1 cm No bone-only lesion Hormone
receptor status: Not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 16 and over Sex: Female Menopausal status: Not specified
Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 2,000/mm3
Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no
greater than the upper limit of normal (ULN) AST/ALT no greater than 1.5 times ULN
Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN (no greater than 5.0 times ULN if
AST/ALT normal) Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: Left
ventricular ejection fraction at least 50% at rest by MUGA or echocardiogram No congestive
heart failure No angina pectoris (even if controlled) No myocardial infarction within the
past year No uncontrolled arrhythmia No uncontrolled hypertension Other: No active
infection No grade 2 or greater symptomatic peripheral neuropathy No significant
neurologic or psychiatric disorder, including dementia or seizures No peptic ulcer,
unstable diabetes mellitus, or other contraindication to dexamethasone No prior malignancy
except nonmelanomatous skin cancer or excised carcinoma in situ of the cervix Not pregnant
or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception Geographically accessible

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No concurrent supportive colony-stimulating
factors (e.g., filgrastim (G -CSF)) (Prophylactic treatment during the second step of
phase I allowed) Chemotherapy: Phase I patients: At least 12 months since prior adjuvant
chemotherapy Prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy allowed Prior cumulative dose of doxorubicin
no greater than 300 mg/m2 Prior cumulative dose of epirubicin no greater than 500 mg/m2 If
epirubicin dose level at least 90 mg/m2: Prior cumulative dose of doxorubicin no greater
than 200 mg/m2 Prior cumulative dose of epirubicin no greater than 300 mg/m2 Phase II
patients: (closed as of 03/27/2000) No prior neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy regimen
other than cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil, or doxorubicin and
cyclophosphamide given for a maximum of 4 courses All patients: No prior chemotherapy for
metastatic disease No prior taxanes Endocrine therapy: Prior hormonal therapy in the
adjuvant and/or metastatic setting allowed if subsequent disease progression No more than
2 prior hormonal therapy regimens for metastatic disease No concurrent corticosteroids
(except for premedication or hypersensitivity reaction) Radiotherapy: See Disease
Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy (unless single fractions for
palliation) Concurrent local palliative radiotherapy for control of bone pain or for other
reasons with no curative intent allowed Concurrent whole-brain radiotherapy for brain
metastasis allowed No concurrent radiotherapy to sole measurable lesion Surgery: Not
specified Other: No other concurrent investigational drugs or anticancer therapy No
concurrent preventive IV antibiotics