DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven recurrent or refractory, metastatic breast cancer Patients previously treated for metastatic disease must show response to last standard dose chemotherapy regimen within 60 days of study entry OR Patients with no evidence of disease (e.g., resected skin lesions) must show no evidence of progression or bone disease No CNS metastases No disease progression following prior platinum or paclitaxel based regimens Hormone receptor status: Not specified