DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed breast cancer Stage II with greater than 3 positive axillary lymph nodes following standard induction chemotherapy, as well as surgery and/or radiation as clinically indicated Stage III following standard induction chemotherapy with an anthracycline based regimen, and surgery and/or radiation as clinically indicated Inflammatory carcinoma following standard induction chemotherapy with an anthracycline based regimen, and surgery and/or radiation as clinically indicated Stage IV metastatic disease that has demonstrated a complete response to an anthracycline containing regimen, or no evidence of disease after surgery or radiation Hormone receptor status: Not specified