An analytical method leading to the solution of transient temperature filed in multi-dimensional composite circular cylinder is presented. The boundary condition is described as time-dependent temperature change. For such heat conduction problem, nearly all the published works need numerical schemes in computing eigenvalues or residues. In this paper, the proposed method involves no such numerical work. Application of 'separation of variables' is novel. The developed method represents an extension of the analytical approach derived for solving heat conduction in composite slab in Cartesian coordinates. Close-formed solution is provided and its agreement with numerical result is good which demonstrates a good accuracy of the developed solution form. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.