  A new Lagrangian model without nonlinear scalar self-interactions in the
relativistic mean-field (RMF) theory is proposed. Introducing terms for
scalar-vector interactions (SVI), we have developed a RMF Lagrangian model for
finite nuclei and nuclear matter. It is shown that by inclusion of SVI in the
basic RMF Lagrangian, the nonlinear sigma^3 and sigma^4 terms can be dispensed
with. The SVI Lagrangian thus obtained provides a good description of
ground-state properties of nuclei along the stability line as well as far away
from it. This Lagrangian model is also able to describe experimental data on
the breathing-mode giant monopole resonance energies well.
