PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior monoclonal antibody therapy Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas and mitomycin) and recovered No more than 3 prior chemotherapy regimens as adjuvant/neoadjuvant therapy or for disease At least 1 year since prior paclitaxel or docetaxel Prior anthracycline (doxorubicin or epirubicin) or mitoxantrone-based regimen allowed as adjuvant therapy or for advanced disease No other concurrent chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 3 weeks since prior exogenous hormonal therapy for stage IV disease and/or as adjuvant therapy Radiotherapy: No radiotherapy to greater than 50% of marrow At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered No concurrent radiotherepy to the only measurable lesion Surgery: At least 2-3 weeks since prior surgery and recovered No concurrent surgery to the only measurable lesion Other: No concurrent nonprotocol treatment