Docetaxel or Paclitaxel in Treating Women With Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer Refractory or relapsed disease after neoadjuvant or adjuvant anthracyclines At least one bidimensionally measurable lesion No brain metastasis No bone metastases, lymphangitis carcinomatous, ascites, or pleural effusion as sole site of metastatic disease Hormone receptor status: Known hormone receptor status PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 to 75 Sex: Female Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: ECOG 0-2 OR Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm^3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm^3 Hepatic: AST and ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN Bilirubin normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: No uncontrolled angina or arrhythmia No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Other: No sensitive neuropathy worse than grade 2 No other significant, uncontrolled medical or psychiatric condition No serious active infection Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective contraception No other prior malignancy except treated nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior specific antitumoral immunotherapy Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics No prior taxanes At least 4 weeks since other prior specific antitumoral chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior specific antitumoral hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior specific antitumoral radiotherapy Surgery: Not specified Other: No other concurrent experimental medication