OUTLINE: This is a randomized, open-label, multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to participating center and operability. Patients are randomized to one of two treatment arms. Arm I: Patients receive docetaxel IV followed by doxorubicin IV once every 3 weeks. Arm II: Patients receive doxorubicin IV and cyclophosphamide IV once every 3 weeks. Patients receive a maximum of 6 courses of treatment in the absence of disease progression and unacceptable toxicity. Patients then undergo surgery (if operable) followed by more chemotherapy (if node positive), radiation therapy, and oral tamoxifen for 5 years (at the discretion of the investigator for estrogen receptor-negative patients). Patients are followed at 12, 18, and 24 months, and then annually for at least 5 years.