Propagation of non-stationary shock waves in a bubbly liquid with a non-Newtonian carrier phase was investigated numerically. The research is carried out within the one-velocity two-temperature two-pressure model of multiphase media mechanics. An aqueous solution of polymer was used as a non-Newtonian carrier phase. It was concluded that the behavior of shock waves in Newtonian and non-Newtonian bubbly liquids with the same Newtonian viscosity may have fundamental differences. The influence of defining parameters of the two-phase mixture and wave on the structure of shock waves was examined. The numerical analysis of evolution and attenuation of pulse perturbations was carried out. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.