PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: No more than 3 prior treatment regimens for metastatic disease Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Prior conventional dose chemotherapy as adjuvant or as treatment for advanced disease allowed Prior doxorubicin greater than 450 mg/m2 allowed if dexrazoxane was used to reduce risk of cardiotoxicity At least 3 weeks since prior chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy to indicator lesions At least 3 weeks since other prior radiotherapy Surgery: See Disease Characteristics At least 3 weeks since prior surgery