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

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Sex: Female Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Adequate hepatic function Bilirubin no greater than upper limit of normal Renal: Adequate renal function Cardiovascular: Adequate cardiac function Normal MUGA or echocardiogram Other: Not pregnant or nursing Fertile patients must use effective barrier method contraception At least 5 years since prior invasive malignancies, except basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or carcinoma in situ of the cervix

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for this malignancy Endocrine therapy: No concurrent tamoxifen Up to 4 weeks of tamoxifen treatment for this malignancy allowed Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy for this malignancy Prior radiotherapy to the breast for ductal carcinoma in situ allowed Surgery: Tumor should be removed by either a modified radical mastectomy and/or a segmental mastectomy plus axillary lymph node dissection or sentinel node biopsy before beginning treatment on protocol No greater than 84 days since last surgical procedure that constitutes or completes definitive surgical therapy (mastectomy; axillary dissection/sentinel node biopsy; or resection of primary site to obtain a negative margin