DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven stage III or IV breast cancer Must have responding disease (at least 50% reduction in the sum of the products of all diameters of measurable nonbony lesions and at least symptomatic improvement in painful bone disease) following conventional dose chemotherapy Asymptomatic patients with bony disease eligible if no new lesions or other evidence of bone progression If only bone disease present, there must be no new bony lesions following cytoreductive chemotherapy Patients who are disease free following surgery (e.g., stage III patients or solitary lymph node patients following excisional biopsy) eligible No CNS disease Hormone receptor status: Not specified