Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Metastatic breast cancer within 2 years of an adjuvant
anthracycline based chemotherapy for advanced disease, or failure of one prior
anthracycline based chemotherapeutic regimen for advanced breast cancer Exception: When
anthracyclines are contraindicated, metastatic disease within 2 years of any adjuvant
cytotoxic regimen, or failure of one prior cytotoxic chemotherapeutic regimen for advanced
breast cancer also qualifies Evaluable or measurable disease in at least one nonirradiated
area No CNS metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: Not specified Performance status: SWOG 0-2 Life expectancy:
Not specified Hematopoietic: Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hemoglobin at least 8.0
g/dL Absolute neutrophil count at least 1500/mm3 Hepatic: Total serum bilirubin no greater
than 1.5 mg/dL No history of chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis SGOT and/or SGPT no
greater than 2 times the upper limit of normal Renal: Serum creatinine no greater than 2.0
mg/dL Other: Not HIV positive Not pregnant or nursing Effective contraceptive required of
fertile patients No uncontrolled nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption syndrome or
bowel obstruction No history of a second malignancy with the exception of non-melanoma
skin cancer or carcinoma in situ of the cervix No known hypersensitivity to ingredients of
the study medication or cyclosporine No neurologic problems requiring treatment No
treatment with drugs within 48 hours that are known to interact with cyclosporine

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: At least 4 weeks since any investigational therapy Biologic
therapy: No concurrent antibiotics, e.g. clarithromycin, erythromycin, nafcillin,
rifampin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, or fluconazole (no greater than 200 mg/day allowed)
Chemotherapy: No prior paclitaxel At least 6 weeks since nitrosoureas At least 4 weeks
since other myelosuppressive chemotherapy Endocrine therapy: At least 2 weeks since
hormone therapy No concurrent danazol Radiotherapy: At least 3 weeks since radiation
therapy Surgery: Must be recovered from previous surgery Other: No concurrent calcium
channel blockers, e.g. diltiazem, nicardipine, and verapamil No concurrent
anticonvulsants, e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, and phenytoin No concurrent
bromocriptine