Abstract A linear method is used here to solve 2-D elastodynamic problems. Linear time and space interpolation functions are used, and expressions for the computation of stresses at internal points by means of appropriate integral equations are presented. When compared with the standard point collocation procedure, the linear method is more stable for 2-D elastodynamic problems, with an equivalent computer cost. As the linear method presents more numerical damping than the standard approach, special attention is required when either or the time step length is large. Two examples are presented in order to verify the accuracy of the proposed formulation.