Abstract Proceeding from the Walecka mean field theory, a system of relativistic kinetic equations has been derived for the description of hadron plasma formation and evolution in nucleus-nucleus collisions at high energies. These equations comprise the dynamics of relativistic self-consistent σ and ω fields and, in particular, satisfactorily described ground states of nuclei. The constructed collision integrals are expressed via inclusive hadron-hadron cross sections and allow one to describe inelastic production of new particles in the process of the nucleus-nucleus collision. A method of solving these kinetic equations, based on a model representation of distribution functions, is proposed. An ansatz for the distribution functions is constructed proceeding from the assumption of incomplete stopping of nuclei in the collision process. This ansatz make it possible to reduce the set of kinetic equations to a set of equations of the three-fluid dynamics type for the parameters of the distribution functions.