The behavior of &eegr; and &eegr;′ in hot strange quark matter in weak equilibrium with temperature, is investigated within the SU(3) Nambu‐Jona‐Lasinio [NJL] model. Possible manifestations of restoration of symmetries, by temperature or density, in the behavior of &eegr; and &eegr;′ are discussed. The role played by the combined effect of temperature and density in the nature of the phase transition and meson behavior is also analyzed. © 2003 American Institute of Physics