The method originally proposed by Yu et al. [Opt. Lett. 23, 409 (1998)] for evaluating the zero-order Hankel transform is generalized to high-order Hankel transforms. Since the method preserves the discrete form of the Parseval theorem, it is particularly suitable for field propagation. A general algorithm for propagating an input field through axially symmetric systems using the generalized method is given. The advantages and the disadvantages of the method with respect to other typical methods are discussed.