Paclitaxel With or Without Carboplatin in Treating Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer * Must have clinical evidence of stage IV (M1) disease * HER-2/neu negative (0, 1+, or 2+ by immunohistochemistry or fluorescent in situ hybridization) OR status unknown * At least 1 measurable lesion * At least 20 mm by conventional techniques OR at least 10 mm by spiral CT scan * Patients with bone-only disease are not eligible * Ineligible if currently experiencing a complete or partial response to prior hormonal therapy * Patients with disease progression after prior response to hormonal therapy are eligible * Disease progression without prior hormonal therapy is allowed * Stable or asymptomatic brain metastasis allowed if: * Other measurable disease exists * Cranial irradiation completed and brain metastasis stable for at least 4 weeks before study * Hormone receptor status: * Not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Sex: * Female Menopausal status: * Pre- or post-menopausal Performance status: * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy: * At least 3 months Hematopoietic: * Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * AST and ALT no greater than 2 times ULN Renal: * Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN * Corrected calcium less than 12 mg/dL Cardiovascular: * No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease * No documented myocardial infarction within the past 6 months * No congestive heart failure * No unstable angina * No clinically significant pericardial effusion or arrhythmia Other: * No active serious infection * No prior significant allergic reactions to drugs containing Cremophor, such as teniposide, cyclosporine, or vitamin K * No clinically significant (greater than grade 1) peripheral neuropathy * No other serious underlying medical condition that would preclude study participation PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * More than 6 months since prior adjuvant bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell transplantation * More than 6 months since prior adjuvant monoclonal antibody therapy * More than 6 months since prior adjuvant vaccine therapy * No prior trastuzumab (Herceptin) * No concurrent anticancer immunotherapy Chemotherapy: * No prior chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer * More than 6 months since prior adjuvant high-dose chemotherapy * More than 6 months since prior adjuvant taxanes or any other adjuvant chemotherapy * Prior adjuvant taxanes allowed only if administered every 3 weeks Endocrine therapy: * See Disease Characteristics * Any number of prior hormonal therapies for metastatic breast cancer allowed * Patients with definite signs of progression may begin study therapy immediately after stopping hormonal therapy * No concurrent anticancer hormonal agents (including megestrol) Radiotherapy: * At least 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy (4 weeks for cranial irradiation) * No prior radiotherapy to 30% or more of bone marrow * No concurrent radiotherapy except for palliation of painful bone metastasis or pathologic fractures to the area of known lytic disease Surgery: * At least 3 weeks since prior major surgery Other: * More than 6 months since prior neoadjuvant therapy * No other concurrent anticancer drugs