The formulation of energy transport in electron and lattice sub-systems due to the laser ultra-short-pulse heating of metallic surface is carried out using an electron kinetic theory model. The rate of electron energy gain from the irradiated field and its dissipation through the collisional process are taken into account in the analysis. The constant and variable physical properties are introduced in the numerical simulations. The two-equation and electron kinetic theory models formulated previously are also employed for the comparison purposes. It is found that the improved electron kinetic theory formulation predicts relatively lower lattice site temperatures as compared to the two-equation and electron kinetic theory models formulated previously. The results of the improved formulation is similar to that obtained for the hyperbolic heating model. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.