OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of high dose topotecan with ifosfamide and etoposide followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell rescue in women with metastatic breast cancer. II. Evaluate the response rates, progression free survival, engraftment, and nonrelapse related mortality in women treated with this regimen. III. Evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of high dose topotecan with respect to the efficacy and toxicity of ifosfamide and etoposide in these women.