OUTLINE: This is a dose escalation study of capecitabine. Patients receive trastuzumab (Herceptin) IV over 30-90 minutes on days 1, 8, and 15; paclitaxel IV over 3 hours on day 2; and oral capecitabine on days 3-16. Treatment repeats every 21 days for at least 3 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Cohorts of 3-6 patients receive escalating doses of capecitabine until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is determined. The MTD is defined as the dose preceding that at which 2 of 6 patients experience dose limiting toxicities. Once the MTD is determined, additional patients are accrued. Quality of life is assessed at baseline and after 3 courses of treatment.