A method is presented for the optimum shape design of trusses. This method obtains the optimum locations of the joints while it employs the concept of ground structure. In the formulation of the design problem the displacements of the joints are treated as design variable in addition to member areas and joint coordinates. For the solution of the nonlinear design problem an approximating program is adopted. The proposed design procedure does not require the structural analysis equations to be solved during the design process. Examples are given to demonstrate the flexibility of the method.