A nonlinear chiral SU(3) approach including the spin-3/2 decuplet is develo
ped to describe dense matter. The coupling constants of the baryon resonanc
es to the scalar mesons are determined from the decuplet vacuum masses and
SU(3) symmetry relations. Different methods of mass generation show signifi
cant differences in the properties of the spin-3/2 particles and in the nuc
lear equation of state.