Comparison of Two Regimens of Liposomal Doxorubicin in Treating Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven progressive or recurrent metastatic breast cancer * Bidimensionally measurable disease with at least one target lesion * If previously irradiated lesions: * No preirradiated only lesions * Clear progression prior to study * New lesions in a previously irradiated region allowed * Refusal of or medical contraindication to standard anthracycline containing regimen * Hormone receptor status: * Not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * Any age Sex: * Female Menopausal status: * Not specified Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * Not specified Hematopoietic: * Neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin normal * Transaminases less than 2 times upper limit of normal Renal: * Creatinine normal Cardiovascular: * Left ventricular ejection fraction normal by echocardiography or MUGA scan * No significant cardiac history including: * Clinically significant atrial or ventricular arrhythmias requiring treatment * Medically controlled congestive heart failure * Significant angina or clinically and/or electrocardiographically documented myocardial infarction within the past year * Clinically significant valvular disease Other: * No other prior or concurrent malignancy within the past 5 years except contralateral breast cancer, or adequately treated basal cell skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No psychological, familial, sociological, or geographical condition that would preclude study * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * Prior adjuvant chemotherapy allowed if total doxorubicin dose is no greater than 300 mg/m2, total epirubicin dose is no greater than 450 mg/m\^2, and total mitoxantrone dose is no greater than 75 mg/m\^2 * No greater than one regimen of prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease * No prior anthracyclines for metastatic disease * No other concurrent cytotoxic therapy Endocrine therapy: * No concurrent hormonal therapy * At least 4 weeks since prior progestins, estrogens, or androgens Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * Concurrent palliative radiotherapy allowed if sole target lesion is outside irradiated field Surgery: * Not specified Other: * Concurrent bisphosphonates for metastatic bone disease and hypercalcemia secondary to malignancy allowed if bony lesions not only target lesion * No other concurrent investigational therapy