Recently there has been a great deal of interest in using the Pad¿ via Lanczos (PVL) technique to analyze the transfer functions and impulse responses of large-scale linear circuits. In this paper, matrix-Pad¿ via Lanczos (MPVL), which can be used on multiple-input multiple-output systems, is applied to solve models resulting from applying the finite element method (FEM) to electromagnetic wave propagation problems in the frequency domain. The resulting solution procedure of using MPVL to solve FEM equations allows for wideband frequency simulations with a reduction in total computation time. Several issues arise during this application, and each is addressed in detail. Numerical simulations using this method are shown along with traditional methods using an LU decomposition at each frequency point of interest. Comparisons in accuracy as well as computation time are also given. ¿ 2000 American Geophysical Union