Abstract: A method for extruding a billet made of brittle metals, alloys, intermetallic compounds, ferrites or ceramics, which comprises embedding the billet in a solid pressure transmitting medium having a configuration and a dimension fitting to those of the inner space of a container of an extruder and being capable of plastic deformation by the actuating pressure of a compressing plunger of the extruder, loading the billet in the container of the extruder, pressurizing the pressure transmitting medium by the compressing plunger, and extruding the billet by actuating the extrusion plunger while the pressure is being maintained.