The efficacy and safety of docetaxel–epirubicin chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer was investigated in Chinese women. Three-weekly cycles comprised epirubicin 75 mg/m2i.v. followed 1 h later by docetaxel 75 mg/m2i.v. After 3 cycles, responding patients received a further 3 cycles, followed by 3 cycles of docetaxel alone. Forty-six patients entered the study, of whom 37% had received prior adjuvant chemotherapy. Three patients withdrew due to toxicity and were not evaluable for response. There were five complete responses and 31 partial responses, giving an overall response rate of 83.7% (95% CI 72.7–94.8%). The median time to progression was 10.96 months (95% CI 7.76–12.86) and median survival was 24.2 months (95% CI 16.6–). The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (96% of patients) and neutropenia with fever (39%). Hepatotoxicity occurred in six patients, two being attributable to hepatitis B virus reactivation. No patients suffered grade 3/4 cardiac toxicity and there were no treatment-related mortalities. Quality of life aspects deteriorated after 3 cycles, but there was a trend towards improved emotional aspects after 9 cycles. We conclude that docetaxel–epirubicin chemotherapy is highly effective for recurrent metastatic/locoregional breast cancer, with myelosuppression being the main toxicity.