DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer

• Radiographical evidence of at least 1 bone metastasis

  • No prior radiotherapy or surgery to bone metastasis
  • No radiotherapy or surgery anticipated for bone metastasis within the next 24 weeks
• Bone pain severity score of at least 1 on 5 of 7 days as determined by question 3 of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)
• No bone metastases to a weight-bearing bone at imminent risk for pathologic fracture or surgical intervention
• No vertebral metastases that place the patient at imminent risk of spinal cord compression

• 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 6 months

Hematopoietic

• WBC at least 2,000/mm^3
• Lymphocyte count at least 500/mm^3
• Granulocyte count at least 1,000/mm^3
• Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3

Hepatic

• ALT or AST no greater than 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Bilirubin no greater than 1.5 times ULN

Renal

• Calcium no greater than 10.1 mg/dL
• No oliguria, defined as less than 30 mL urine per 2-hour collection
• No acute renal failure
• Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL

Other

• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective barrier contraception
• No sepsis
• No known or anticipated contraindication to study drugs

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy

• Not specified

Chemotherapy

• More than 3 weeks since initiation of a new chemotherapy regimen

Endocrine therapy

• More than 3 weeks since initiation of a new hormonal therapy regimen

Radiotherapy

• See Disease Characteristics
• More than 3 weeks since prior radiotherapy

Surgery

• See Disease Characteristics

Other

• More than 60 days since prior bisphosphonates
• More than 30 days since prior investigational drugs
• No change in analgesic drug regimen during the screening period