Sorafenib and Paclitaxel in Treating Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer

RATIONALE: Sorafenib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth and by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving sorafenib together with paclitaxel may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: This phase II trial is studying the side effects of giving sorafenib together with paclitaxel and to how well it works in treating patients with metastatic breast cancer.