Biological Therapy Plus Peripheral Stem Cell Transplantation in Treating Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed advanced breast cancer not eligible for (or patient refuses participation in) a higher priority phase III SWOG study Local stage IIIB/IV disease, i.e.: Inflammatory Fixed to chest wall Fixed to axillary lymph nodes Recurrent disease Metastatic disease Disease stable or responsive to standard dose systemic chemotherapy Measurable or evaluable disease required except: Unevaluable stage IV disease (beyond draining lymph nodes) eligible following surgical resection, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy Less than 30% bone marrow involvement on aspiration and biopsy No active brain metastases CT or MRI required unless asymptomatic and no history of brain metastases No large symptomatic pleural effusion

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Under 65 Performance status: SWOG 0 or 1 Hematopoietic: Absolute neutrophil count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 9.0 g/dL Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 2.0 mg/dL ALT/AST no greater than 2 times normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.5 mg/dL OR Creatinine clearance at least 60 mL/min Cardiovascular: Left ventricular ejection fraction at least 45% on MUGA No angina No history of myocardial infarction Exercise stress test without definite ischemia required for: History suggestive of coronary disease Diabetes mellitus Hypertension Age over 50 Pulmonary: FEV1 greater than 60% of predicted or greater than 2.0 liters DLCO greater than 60% of predicted Other: No prior hemorrhagic cystitis No active systemic infection No active CNS disease (e.g., seizures) HIV negative No second malignancy within 2 years except: Localized nonmelanomatous skin cancer Carcinoma in situ of the cervix Not pregnant or nursing

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: Not specified Chemotherapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since chemotherapy and recovered No more than 2 different prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease No prior mitomycin or nitrosourea Lifetime cumulative doxorubicin dose less than 350 mg per square meter Endocrine therapy: Not specified Radiotherapy: At least 2 weeks since radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: At least 3 weeks since major surgery and recovered