OBJECTIVES: I. Define the maximum tolerated doses of four courses of doxorubicin (DOX), paclitaxel (TAX), and cyclophosphamide (CTX) followed by peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support given in an out-patient setting in patients with metastatic breast cancer. II. Evaluate the cardiotoxicity of the combination of bolus DOX, a 3-hour infusion of TAX, and CTX. III. Determine the clinical response rate and time to progression associated with this regimen. IV. Determine Cmax, AUC and the drug:metabolite ratio of TAX and DOX when given with CTX, a known p450 inducer.