OUTLINE: This is a randomized, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to number of positive nodes (1-3 vs 4-9 vs 10 or more), administration of hormonal therapy (tamoxifen vs anastrozole vs neither), surgery/radiotherapy (lumpectomy plus breast irradiation vs lumpectomy plus breast irradiation plus regional irradiation vs mastectomy without radiotherapy vs mastectomy with radiotherapy), paclitaxel schedule (every 3 weeks vs weekly), and participating center. Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms.