The time evolution of the macroscopic variables of a system initially in a state far from thermal equilibrium is studied from a statistical mechanical point of view. Exact nonlinear transport equations for the mean values and linear nonstationary Langevin equations for the fluctuations around the mean path are derived. Connections between the dynamics of fluctuations and the transport equations are discussed. The Langevin random forces depend on the macroscopic state and they are related to the transport kernels by a fluctuation-dissipation formula.