15-95Randomized Trial of High-dose Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide x 3 Supported by Peripheral Blood Progenitor Cells Versus Anthracycline and Cyclophosphamide x 4 Followed by Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil x 3 as Adjuvant Treatment for High Risk Operable Stage ii and Stage Iii Breast Cancer in Premenopausal and Young Postmenopausal (Less Than or Equal to 65 Yrs) Patients.

Study start date: June 1, 1996

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically proven breast carcinoma in one of the following categories: 10 or more involved axillary nodes 5 or more involved axillary nodes and either: Primary tumor estrogen receptor (ER)-negative (less than 10 femtomoles per milligram of cytosol protein) T3 tumor (regardless of ER status) Total mastectomy or breast-conserving procedure (lumpectomy or quadrantectomy) required within 6 weeks prior to randomization Tumor confined to breast and axillary nodes (T1a-c, T2, or T3, N1-2, M0 by the UICC staging system) The following conditions exclude entry: Satellite skin nodules distant from the primary tumor Supraclavicular node involvement Inoperable, matted axillary nodes Fixation of primary tumor to chest wall (excluding pectoralis major) Bilateral breast cancer (any mass in opposite breast unless biopsy-proven benign) Hot spots on bone scintigram (unless confirmed to be benign) Skeletal pain of unknown cause Hormone receptor status: ER status determination preferred, but not required PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 16-65 Sex: Women only Menopausal status: Any status Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Hematopoietic: WBC at least 4,000 Platelets at least 100,000 Hepatic: Bilirubin no greater than 1.1 mg/dL (20 micromoles/L) AST no greater than twice normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 1.3 mg/dL (120 micromoles/L) Cardiovascular: Left ventricular ejection fraction greater than 50% by MUGA Other: No second malignancy except: Basal cell carcinoma Adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix No significant nonmalignant disease that would preclude participation No psychiatric or addictive disorder that would compromise informed consent or participation No pregnant or nursing women Adequate contraception strongly advised for fertile women PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: No prior therapy for breast cancer other than surgery (see Disease Characteristics)