Docetaxel or Paclitaxel in Treating Women With Unresectable Locally Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer * Refractory or relapsed disease after neoadjuvant or adjuvant anthracyclines * At least one bidimensionally measurable lesion * No brain metastasis * No bone metastases, lymphangitis carcinomatous, ascites, or pleural effusion as sole site of metastatic disease * Hormone receptor status: * Known hormone receptor status PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 to 75 Sex: * Female Menopausal status: * Not specified Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 OR * Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: * At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * AST and ALT no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN * Bilirubin normal Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular: * No uncontrolled angina or arrhythmia * No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease Other: * No sensitive neuropathy worse than grade 2 * No other significant, uncontrolled medical or psychiatric condition * No serious active infection * Not pregnant or nursing * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No other prior malignancy except treated nonmelanomatous skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior specific antitumoral immunotherapy Chemotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * No prior taxanes * At least 4 weeks since other prior specific antitumoral chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior specific antitumoral hormonal therapy Radiotherapy: * At least 4 weeks since prior specific antitumoral radiotherapy Surgery: * Not specified Other: * No other concurrent experimental medication