We describe an approximate method for the calculation of all characteristics of coherent backscattering for a homogeneous, semi-infinite particulate medium. The method allows one to transform a system of integral equations describing coherent backscattering exactly into a system of linear algebraic equations affording an efficient numerical solution. Comparisons of approximate theoretical results with experimental data as well as with benchmark numerical results for a medium composed of nonabsorbing Rayleigh scatterers have shown that the method can be expected to give a good accuracy.