Trastuzumab Plus Paclitaxel in Treating Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer That Overexpresses HER2

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab, can locate tumor cells and either kill them or deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to stop tumor cells from dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining monoclonal antibody therapy with chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Randomized phase II trial to study the effectiveness of two different regimens of trastuzumab plus paclitaxel in treating women who have metastatic breast cancer that overexpresses HER2.