Here are the steps to create a servlet application in Java:

1. Install a Java development environment: Before you can create a servlet application, you'll need to install a Java development environment on your computer. There are many different development environments to choose from, such as Eclipse, NetBeans, and IntelliJ IDEA.

2. Set up a web container: A web container, such as Apache Tomcat or Jetty, is required to run a servlet application. You'll need to download and install a web container on your computer, and configure it to work with your development environment.

3. Create a new servlet project: Using your development environment, create a new servlet project. This will create a project structure with the necessary files and directories to get started.

4. Write your servlet class: Create a new Java class that extends the HttpServlet class, and implement the doGet() or doPost() method to handle incoming HTTP requests.

5. Define a servlet mapping: In the web.xml file, define a servlet mapping that associates your servlet class with a URL pattern. This will allow the web container to route incoming requests to your servlet.

6. Deploy your application: Package your application into a WAR file, and deploy it to the web container. Once your application is deployed, it will be accessible from a web browser using the URL pattern you defined in step 5.

7. Test your application: Launch your web browser and enter the URL for your servlet application. If everything is set up correctly, you should see the output generated by your servlet.

These are the basic steps required to create a servlet application in Java. From here, you can add additional functionality, such as database access or user authentication, to create a fully featured web application.