DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed invasive (stage II-IV) carcinoma of the breast 8 or more positive axillary nodes required for stage II disease Chemotherapy-responsive disease required of patients with measurable or evaluable disease Partial or complete response to 3 courses of standard cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/fluorouracil (CAF) or, for patients who have had CAF, cyclophosphamide/methotrexate/fluorouracil (CMF) 3-month course of standard mitomycin/vinblastine or paclitaxel acceptable in patients clearly resistant to CAF or CMF Visceral response despite progression in bone will be considered on an individual basis Patients with no evidence of disease may be entered without evidence of a chemotherapy response Resectable disease must be surgically removed prior to transplantation Hormone receptor status: If estrogen-receptor positive, prior failure with at least 1 hormonal manipulation required unless patient is premenopausal or has rapidly progressing visceral disease No more than 20% of marrow involved with tumor