DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven stage II breast cancer with 1 of the following: Estrogen receptor negative with at least 4 positive nodes OR Estrogen receptor positive with at least 6 positive nodes OR Histologically proven stage IIIA breast cancer Must have already received 4-7 courses of conventional chemotherapy with a doxorubicin based regimen (which may include paclitaxel or docetaxel) No greater than 60 days since induction chemotherapy Prior definitive surgical treatment of primary lesion (modified radical mastectomy or breast conserving procedure plus axillary node dissection) Margins free of tumor Hormone receptor status: Estrogen and progesterone receptor status known