The purpose of this study is to perform three- dimensional finite element contact stress analysis of the artificial knee joint. The surface geometric data of the artificial femoral and tibial components were obtained from a three-dimensional digital scanning system. The triangular surface models and the finite element meshes for the artificial femoral and tibial components were generated by using a commercial finite element software - MARC. Contact stress distributions for the UHMWPE insert of the tibial component were investigated for both linear and nonlinear material properties. From the procedure used in this study, geometrically accurate finite element models for the artificial knee joint were created. These models can provide a means for evaluating the stress distributions of the complex implant structure under various loading conditions. The results can provide valuable information for the design and analysis of the artificial knee joint.