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________________________________________________________________________________
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549




                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT


                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                      The Securities Exchange Act of 1934


      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)  December 8, 1994



                              KIRBY CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          Nevada                       1-7615                     74-1884980
- -------------------------------      -----------             -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of      (Commission               (IRS Employer
incorporation)                       File Number)            Identification No.)




1775 St. James Place, Suite 300, Houston, Texas                   77056-3453
- -----------------------------------------------                   ----------
   (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (713) 629-9370


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ITEM 5.          OTHER EVENTS

         The Registrant files herewith those exhibits listed in Item 7(c) below.

ITEM 7(C).       EXHIBITS

         The following exhibits are furnished in accordance with Item 601 of
Regulation S-K.

                 1.1      Distribution Agreement, dated December 2, 1994, by
                          and among Kirby Corporation and Merrill Lynch, 
                          Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Salomon 
                          Brothers Inc and Wertheim Schroder & Co. Inc.
  
                 4.1      Form of Fixed Rate Global Note.

                 4.2      Form of Floating Rate Global Note.
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                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                       KIRBY CORPORATION
                                         (Registrant)



Date:  December 8, 1994           By:  /s/ Brian K. Harrington
                                       Brian K. Harrington
                                       Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                       Officer
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                                EXHIBIT INDEX

      EXHIBITS


        1.1      Distribution Agreement, dated December 2, 1994, by
                 and among Kirby Corporation and Merrill Lynch, 
                 Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Salomon 
                 Brothers Inc and Wertheim Schroder & Co. Inc.
  
        4.1      Form of Fixed Rate Global Note.

        4.2      Form of Floating Rate Global Note.
   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1


                               KIRBY CORPORATION
                             Medium-Term Notes Due
                      9 Months or More from Date of Issue

                             DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT


                                                               December 2, 1994


Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
         Incorporated
World Financial Center
North Tower, 10th Floor
New York, New York 10281-1310

Salomon Brothers Inc
Seven World Trade Center
New York, New York 10048

Wertheim Schroder & Co. Incorporated
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, New York  10019-6016

Dear Sirs:

         Kirby Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), confirms its
agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated, Salomon Brothers Inc and Wertheim Schroder & Co. Inc.
(individually, an "Agent", and collectively, the "Agents") with respect to the
issue and sale by the Company of its Medium-Term Notes described herein (the
"Notes").  The Notes are to be issued pursuant to an indenture (the
"Indenture") dated as of December 2, 1994 between the Company and Texas
Commerce Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee").  As of the date
hereof, the Company has authorized the issuance and sale of up to U.S.
$250,000,000 aggregate principal amount (or its equivalent, based upon the
applicable exchange rate at the time of issuance, in such foreign or composite
currencies as the Company shall designate at the time of issuance) of Notes to
or through the Agents pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.  It is
understood, however, that the Company may from time to time authorize the
issuance of additional Notes and that such additional Notes may be sold to or
through the Agents pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, all as though the
issuance of such Notes were authorized as of the date hereof.
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         This Agreement provides both for the sale of Notes by the Company to
the Agents as principal for resale to investors and other purchasers and for
the sale of Notes by the Company directly to investors (as may from time to
time be agreed to by the Company and the Agents), in which case each Agent will
act as an agent of the Company in soliciting Note purchases.

         The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") a registration statement on Form S-3 (No.  33-56195) for the
registration of debt securities, including the Notes under the Securities Act
of 1933 (the "1933 Act") and the offering thereof from time to time in
accordance with Rule 415 of the rules and regulations of the SEC under the 1933
Act (the "1933 Act Regulations").  Such registration statement has been
declared effective by the SEC and the Indenture has been qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the "1939 Act").  Such registration statement (and
any further registration statements that may be filed by the Company for the
purpose of registering additional Notes and in connection with which this
Agreement is included or incorporated by reference as an exhibit) and the
prospectus constituting a part thereof and any prospectus supplements relating
to the Notes, including all documents incorporated therein by reference, as
from time to time amended or supplemented by the filing of documents pursuant
to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") or the 1933 Act or
otherwise, are referred to herein as the "Registration Statement" and the
"Prospectus", respectively, except that if any revised prospectus shall be
provided to the Agent by the Company for use in connection with the offering of
the Notes, whether or not such revised prospectus is required to be filed by
the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations, the term
"Prospectus" shall refer to such revised prospectus from and after the time it
is first provided to the Agent for such use.

SECTION 1.       Appointment as Agent.

         (a)     Appointment.  Subject to the terms and conditions stated
herein and subject to the reservation by the Company of the right to sell Notes
directly on its own behalf, the Company hereby agrees that Notes will be sold
to or through the Agents.  Each Agent is authorized to engage the services of
any other broker or dealer in connection with the offer or sale of the Notes
purchased by the Agent as principal for resale to others but is not authorized
to appoint sub-agents.  In connection with sales by an Agent of Notes purchased
by such Agent as principal to other brokers or dealers, the Agent may allow any
portion of the discount it has received in connection with such purchase from
the Company to such brokers or dealers.  In performing its obligations under
this Agreement, regardless of whether it is soliciting offers to purchase the
Notes from the Company as its agent or purchasing Notes from the Company as
principal, each Agent is acting individually and not jointly. The Company will
not engage any other person or party (a "new agent") to solicit purchases of
the Notes, except that the Company may accept an offer to purchase Notes
through a new agent other than an Agent hereunder, provided that (x) the
Company shall not have solicited such offer, (y) the Company and such new agent
shall have executed an agreement with respect to such purchase having terms and
conditions (including, without limitation, commission rates) substantially the
same as those that would apply to such purchase under this Agreement if such
new agent were an Agent (which may be accomplished by incorporating by
reference in such agreement the terms and conditions of this Agreement) and (z)
the Company shall notify the Agents prior to the execution of any such
agreement and shall provide the Agents with a copy of such agreement promptly
following the execution thereof.

         (b)     Sale of Notes.  The Company shall not sell or approve the
solicitation of purchases of Notes in excess of the amount that shall be
authorized by the Company from time to time or in excess of the principal
amount of Notes registered pursuant to the Registration Statement.  The Agents
shall have no responsibility for maintaining records with respect to the
aggregate principal amount of Notes sold, or of otherwise monitoring the
availability of Notes for sale, under the Registration Statement.





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         (c)     Purchases as Principal.  The Agents shall not have any
obligation to purchase Notes from the Company as principal, but an Agent may
agree from time to time to purchase Notes as principal.  Any such purchase of
Notes by an Agent as principal shall be made in accordance with Section 3(a)
hereof.

         (d)     Solicitations as Agent.  If agreed upon by an Agent and the
Company, the Agent, acting solely as agent for the Company and not as
principal, will solicit purchases of the Notes.  Each Agent will communicate to
the Company, orally, each offer to purchase Notes solicited by such Agent on an
agency basis, other than those offers rejected by the Agent.  Any Agent shall
have the right, in its discretion reasonably exercised, to reject any proposed
purchase of Notes, as a whole or in part, and any such rejection shall not be
deemed a breach of such Agent's agreement contained herein.  The Company may
accept or reject any proposed purchase of Notes, in whole or in part.  Each
Agent shall make reasonable efforts to assist the Company in obtaining
performance by each purchaser whose offer to purchase Notes has been solicited
by such Agent and accepted by the Company.  No Agent shall have any liability
to the Company in the event any such agency purchase is not consummated for any
reason.  If the Company shall default on its obligation to deliver Notes to a
purchaser whose offer it has accepted, the Company shall (i) hold the Agents
harmless against any loss, claim or damage arising from or as a result of such
default by the Company and (ii) notwithstanding such default, pay to the
applicable Agent any commission to which it would be entitled in connection
with such sale.

         (e)     Reliance.  The Company and the Agents agree that any Notes
purchased by the Agents shall be purchased, and any Notes the placement of
which the Agents arranges shall be placed by the Agents, in reliance on the
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Company contained
herein and on the terms and conditions and in the manner provided herein.

SECTION 2.       Representations and Warranties.

         (a)     Representations and Warranties.  The Company represents and
warrants to each of the Agents as of the date hereon as of the date of each
acceptance by the Company of an offer for the purchase of Notes (whether to an
Agent as principal or through an Agent as agent), as of the date of each
delivery of Notes (whether to an Agent as principal or through an Agent as
agent) (the date of each such delivery to the Agent as principal being
hereafter referred to as a "Settlement Date"), and as of any time that the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented or
there is filed with the SEC any document incorporated by reference into the
Prospectus (each of the times referenced above being referred to herein as a
"Representation Date") as follows:

                   (i)    Due Incorporation and Qualification.  The Company has
         been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in
         good standing under the laws of the state of its incorporation with
         corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
         and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus; the
         Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact
         business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such
         qualification is required, whether by reason





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         of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business,
         except where the failure to so qualify and be in good standing would
         not have a material adverse effect on the business or financial
         condition of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
         enterprise.

                  (ii)    Subsidiaries.  Each subsidiary of the Company that is
         a significant subsidiary (each, a "Significant Subsidiary") as defined
         in Rule 405 of Regulation C of the 1933 Act Regulations has been duly
         incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
         under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate
         power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and
         conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly
         qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good
         standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required,
         whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the
         conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify and be in
         good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the business
         or financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries considered
         as one enterprise; and all of the issued and outstanding capital stock
         of each Significant Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly
         issued, is fully paid and non-assessable and, other than with respect
         to Universal Insurance Company ("Universal") and Boliver Terminal
         Company ("Boliver") and except for directors' qualifying shares, is
         owned by the Company, directly or through subsidiaries, free and clear
         of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim
         or equity.  The Company owns, directly or through subsidiaries, the
         percentage of the voting common stock of Universal that is most
         recently specified in the Company's filings pursuant to the 1934 Act
         and 100% of the non-voting common stock and preferred stock of
         Universal, in each case free and clear of any security interest,
         mortgage, pledge, lien, claim or encumbrance except for rights of
         Universal to purchase or redeem the voting common stock, non-voting
         common stock and preferred stock of Universal owned by the Company
         pursuant to the terms of a Shareholders' Agreement, dated as of
         September 24, 1992, among the Company, Universal and Eastern America
         Financial Group, Inc. (the "Universal Shareholders' Agreement").  The
         Universal Shareholders Agreement has not been amended or terminated
         since September 24, 1992.

                 (iii)    Registration Statement and Prospectus.  At the time
         the Registration Statement became effective, the Registration
         Statement complied, and as of each applicable Representation Date will
         comply, in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act
         and the 1933 Act Regulations and the 1939 Act and the rules and
         regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.  The Registration
         Statement, at the time it became effective, did not, and at each time
         thereafter at which any amendment to the Registration Statement
         becomes effective or any Annual Report on Form 10-K is filed by the
         Company with the SEC and as of each Representation Date, will not,
         contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
         material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
         statements therein not misleading.  The Prospectus, as of the date
         hereof does not and as of each Representation Date will not, include
         an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
         fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light
         of the circumstances under which they were made, not





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         misleading; provided, however, that the representations and warranties
         in this subsection shall not apply to statements in or omissions from
         the Registration Statement or Prospectus made in reliance upon and in
         conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by the
         Agents expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus.

                  (iv)    Incorporated Documents.  The documents incorporated
         by reference in the Prospectus, at the time they were or hereafter are
         filed with the SEC, complied or when so filed will comply, as the case
         may be, in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act
         and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "1934 Act
         Regulations"), and, when read together and with the other information
         in the Prospectus, did not and will not include an untrue statement of
         a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
         therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
         light of the circumstances under which they were or are made, not
         misleading.

                   (v)    Accountants.  The accountants who certified the
         financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
         Prospectus are independent public accountants within the meaning of
         the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

                  (vi)    Financial Statements.  The financial statements and
         any supporting schedules of the Company and its consolidated
         subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectus present fairly the consolidated financial
         position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the
         dates indicated and the consolidated results of their operations for
         the periods specified; and, except as stated therein, said financial
         statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
         accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent
         basis; and the supporting schedules included in the Registration
         Statement present fairly the information required to be stated
         therein.

                 (vii)    Authorization and Validity of this Agreement, the
         Indenture and the Notes.  This Agreement has been duly authorized,
         executed and delivered by the Company and, upon execution and delivery
         by the Agents, will be a valid and legally binding agreement of the
         Company enforceable with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may
         be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
         other laws relating to or affecting enforcement of creditors' rights
         generally or by general equity principles; the Indenture has been duly
         authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, upon execution
         and delivery by the Trustee, will be a valid and legally binding
         obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms,
         except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
         insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or
         affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general
         equity principles, and except further as enforcement thereof may be
         limited by (i) requirements that a claim with respect to any Notes
         denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a foreign currency or
         currency unit judgment in respect of such claim) be converted into
         U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined
         pursuant to applicable





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         law or (ii) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the
         making of payments outside the United States; the Notes have been duly
         and validly authorized for issuance, offer and sale pursuant to this
         Agreement and, when issued, authenticated and delivered pursuant to
         the provisions of this Agreement and the Indenture against payment of
         the consideration therefor specified in the Prospectus or agreed upon
         pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, the Notes will
         constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company
         enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement
         thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
         moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting enforcement of
         creditors' rights generally or by general equity principles, and
         except further as enforcement thereof may be limited by (i)
         requirements that a claim with respect to any Notes denominated other
         than in U.S. dollars (or a foreign currency or currency unit judgment
         in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate or
         exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or
         (ii) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of
         payments outside the United States; the Notes and the Indenture will
         be substantially in the form heretofore delivered to the Agent and
         conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto
         contained in the Prospectus; and each holder of Notes will be entitled
         to the benefits of the Indenture.

                (viii)    Material Changes or Material Transactions.  Since the
         respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration
         Statement and the Prospectus, except as may otherwise be stated or
         incorporated by reference therein or contemplated thereby, (a) there
         has been no material adverse change in the business or financial
         condition of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
         enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business
         and (b) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or
         any of its subsidiaries that are material to the Company and its
         subsidiaries considered as one enterprise other than those in the
         ordinary course of business.

                  (ix)    No Defaults: Regulatory Approvals.  Neither the
         Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries is in violation of its
         charter or in default in any material respect in the performance or
         observance of any material obligation, agreement, covenant or
         condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan
         agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which it is a party or
         by which it or any of them or their material properties may be bound;
         the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Indenture and the
         consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and therein have
         been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not
         conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, or result
         in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon
         any material property or assets of the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries pursuant to, any material contract, indenture, mortgage,
         loan agreement, note, lease or other instrument to which the Company
         or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them
         may be bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company
         or any such subsidiary is subject, nor will such action result in any
         violation of the provisions of the charter or bylaws of the Company or
         any law, administrative regulation or administrative or court order or
         decree; and no consent,





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         approval, authorization, order or decree of any court or governmental
         agency or body is required for the consummation by the Company of the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in connection with the
         sale of Notes hereunder, except such as have been obtained or
         rendered, as the case may be, or as may be required under state
         securities ("Blue Sky") laws and except where the failure to obtain
         such consent, approval, authorization, order or decree would not have
         a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of
         the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise.

                   (x)    Legal Proceedings; Contracts.  Except as may be set
         forth in the Registration Statement there is no action, suit or
         proceeding before or by any court or governmental agency or body,
         domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company,
         threatened against or affecting, the Company or any of its Significant
         Subsidiaries, that might, in the opinion of the Company, result in any
         material adverse change in the business or financial condition of the
         Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, or might
         materially and adversely affect the consummation of this Agreement or
         the Indenture or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby; and
         there are no contracts or documents of the Company or any of its
         subsidiaries that are required to be filed as exhibits to the
         Registration Statement by the 1933 Act or by the 1933 Act Regulations
         that have not been so filed.

                  (xi)    Licenses.  The Company owns or possesses or has
         obtained all governmental licenses, permits, consents, orders,
         approvals and other authorizations necessary to lease or own, as the
         case may be, and to operate its properties and to carry on its
         business as presently conducted where its ownership or lease of
         substantial properties or the conduct of its business requires such
         ownership or possession or the obtaining of such governmental
         licenses, permits, consents, orders, approvals and other
         authorizations and where the failure to do so would materially and
         adversely affect the business or financial condition of the Company
         and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise.

                 (xii)    Each of the Company and the Significant Subsidiaries
         legally owns its properties and assets free and clear of all pledges,
         liens, security interests, claims, encumbrances or restrictions,
         except such as are reflected in the Prospectus or as are not
         materially significant in relation to the business or financial
         condition of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
         enterprise.

                (xiii)    None of the Company or its Significant Subsidiaries
         are in violation of any applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment,
         order or decree of any government, governmental body or agency or
         court to which it may be subject except for violations which could
         not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have
         a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of
         the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise.





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                 (xiv)    Investment Company Act.  The Company is not required
         to be registered  under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
         (the "1940 Act").

                  (xv)    Doing Business with Cuba.  The Company has complied
         and will comply with the provisions of Florida H.B.  1771, codified as
         Section 517.075 of the Florida Statutes, 1987, as amended, and all
         regulations promulgated thereunder relating to issuers doing business
         in Cuba.

                 (xvi)    Commodity Exchange Act.  The Notes, when issued,
         authenticated and delivered pursuant to the provisions of this
         Agreement and the Indenture, will be excluded or exempted under the
         provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act.

         (b)     Additional Certifications.  Any certificate signed by any
officer of the Company and delivered to an Agent or to counsel for the Agents
in connection with an offering of Notes through an Agent as agent or the sale
of Notes to an Agent as principal shall be deemed a representation and warranty
by the Company to such Agent as to the matters covered thereby on the date of
such certificate and at each Representation Date subsequent thereto.

SECTION 3.       Purchases as Principal; Solicitations as Agent.

         (a)     Purchases as Principal.  Unless otherwise agreed by an Agent
and the Company, Notes shall be purchased by each of the Agents as principal.
Such purchases shall be made in accordance with terms agreed upon by such Agent
and the Company (which terms, unless otherwise agreed, shall be agreed upon
orally, with written confirmation prepared by such Agent and mailed to the
Company).  An Agent's commitment to purchase Notes as principal shall be deemed
to have been made on the basis of the representations and warranties of the
Company herein contained and shall be subject to the terms and conditions
herein set forth.  Each purchase of Notes, unless otherwise agreed, shall be at
a discount from the principal amount of each such Note equivalent to the
applicable commission set forth in Schedule A hereto.  An Agent may engage the
services of any other broker or dealer in connection with the resale of the
Notes purchased as principal and may allow any portion of the discount received
in connection with such purchases from the Company to such brokers and dealers.
At the time of each purchase of Notes by an Agent as principal, such Agent
shall specify the requirements for the stand-off agreement, officer's
certificate, opinion of counsel and comfort letter pursuant to Sections 4(k),
7(b), 7(c) and 7(d) hereof.

         (b)     Solicitations as Agent.  On the basis of the representations
and warranties herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein
set forth, when agreed by the Company and an Agent, such Agent, as an agent of
the Company, will use its reasonable efforts to solicit offers to purchase the
Notes upon the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Prospectus.
All Notes sold through an Agent as agent will be sold at 100% of their
principal amount unless otherwise agreed to by the Company and such Agent.

         The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to suspend
solicitation of purchases of the Notes through an Agent, as agent, commencing
at any time for any period of





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time or permanently.  Upon receipt of instructions from the Company, an Agent
will forthwith suspend solicitation of purchases from the Company until such
time as the Company has advised such Agent that such solicitation may be
resumed.

         The Company agrees to pay each Agent a commission, in the form of a
discount, equal to the applicable percentage of the principal amount of each
Note sold by the Company as a result of a solicitation made by such Agent as
set forth in Schedule A hereto.

         (c)     Administrative Procedures.  The purchase price, interest rate
or formula, maturity date and other terms of the Notes (as applicable)
specified in Exhibit A hereto shall be agreed upon by the Company and the
Agents and set forth in a pricing supplement to the Prospectus to be prepared
in connection with each sale of Notes.  Except as may be otherwise provided in
such supplement to the Prospectus, the Notes will be issued in denominations of
U.S. $1,000 or any larger amount that is an integral multiple of U.S. $1,000.
Administrative procedures with respect to the sale of Notes shall be agreed
upon from time to time by the Agents, the Company and the Trustee (the
"Procedures").  The Agents and the Company agree to perform the respective
duties and obligations specifically provided to be performed by them in the
Procedures.

SECTION 4.       Covenants of the Company.

         The Company covenants with the Agents as follows:

         (a)     Notice of Certain Events.  The Company will notify each Agent
immediately of (i)  the effectiveness of any amendment to the Registration
Statement, (ii) the transmittal to the SEC for filing of any supplement to the
Prospectus or any document to be filed pursuant to the 1934 Act that will be
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, (iii) the receipt of any comments
from the SEC with respect to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, (iv)
any request by the SEC for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any
amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, and
(v) the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that
purpose.  The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance
of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting
thereof at the earliest possible moment.

         (b)     Notice of Certain Proposed Filings.  The Company will give
each Agent advance notice of its intention to file any amendment to the
Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus (other
than an amendment or supplement providing solely for a change in the interest
rates of Notes), whether by the filing of documents pursuant to the 1934 Act,
the 1933 Act or otherwise, and will furnish such Agent with copies of any such
amendment or supplement or other documents proposed to be filed in advance of
such proposed filing.

         (c)     Copies of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.  The
Company will deliver to each of the Agents as many signed and conformed copies
of the Registration Statement (as originally filed) and of each amendment
thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or





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incorporated by reference therein and documents incorporated by reference in
the Prospectus) as an Agent may reasonably request.  The Company will furnish
to each of the Agents as many copies of the Prospectus (as amended or
supplemented) as an Agent shall reasonably request so long as such Agent is
required to deliver a Prospectus in connection with sales or solicitations of
offers to purchase the Notes.

         (d)     Preparation of Pricing Supplements.  The Company will prepare,
with respect to any Notes to be sold through or to an Agent pursuant to this
Agreement, a Pricing Supplement with respect to such Notes in a form previously
approved by the Agents and will file such Pricing Supplement pursuant to Rule
424(b)(2) under the 1933 Act not later than the close of business of the SEC on
the fifth business day after the date on which such Pricing Supplement is first
used.

         (e)     Revisions of Prospectus--Material Changes.  Except as
otherwise provided in subsection (l) of this Section, if at any time during the
term of this Agreement any event shall occur or condition exist as a result of
which it is necessary, in the reasonable opinion of counsel for the Agents or
counsel for the Company, to further amend or supplement the Prospectus in order
that the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time
the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the
reasonable opinion of either such counsel, to amend or supplement the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to comply with the
requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations, immediate notice
shall be given, and confirmed in writing, to each Agent to cease the
solicitation of offers to purchase the Notes in such Agent's capacity as agent
and to cease sales of any Notes that such Agent may then own as principal, and
the Company will promptly amend the Registration Statement and the Prospectus,
whether by filing documents pursuant to the 1934 Act, the 1933 Act or
otherwise, as may be necessary to correct such untrue statement or omission or
to make the Registration Statement and Prospectus comply with such
requirements.

         (f)     Prospectus Revisions--Periodic Financial Information.  Except
as otherwise provided in subsection (l) of this Section, on or prior to the
date on which there shall be released to the general public interim financial
statement information related to the Company with respect to each of the first
three quarters of any fiscal year or preliminary financial statement
information with respect to any fiscal year, the Company shall furnish such
information to the Agents, confirmed in writing, and shall cause the Prospectus
to be amended or supplemented to include or incorporate by reference financial
information with respect thereto and corresponding information for the
comparable period of the preceding fiscal year, as well as such other
information and explanations as shall be necessary for an understanding thereof
or as shall be required by the 1933 Act or the 1933 Act Regulations.

         (g)     Prospectus Revisions--Audited Financial Information.  Except
as otherwise provided in subsection (l) of this Section, on or prior to the
date on which there shall be released to the general public financial
information included in or derived from the audited financial statements of the
Company for the preceding fiscal year, the Company shall cause the





                                       10
   11
Registration Statement and the Prospectus to be amended, whether by the filing
of documents pursuant to the 1934 Act, the 1933 Act or otherwise, to include or
incorporate by reference such audited financial statements and the report or
reports, and consent or consents to such inclusion or incorporation by
reference, of the independent accountants with respect thereto, as well as such
other information and explanations as shall be necessary for an understanding
of such financial statements or as shall be required by the 1933 Act or the
1933 Act Regulations.

         (h)     Earnings Statements.  The Company will make generally
available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than 90
days after the close of the period covered thereby, an earnings statement (in
form complying with the provisions of Rule 158 under the 1933 Act) covering
each twelve month period beginning, in each case, not later than the first day
of the Company's fiscal quarter next following the "effective date" (as defined
in such Rule 158) of the Registration Statement with respect to each sale of
Notes.

         (i)     Blue Sky Qualifications.  The Company will endeavor, in
cooperation with the Agents to qualify the Notes for offering and sale under
the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions of the
United States as the Agents may designate, and will maintain such
qualifications in effect for as long as may be required for the distribution of
the Notes; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file
any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign
corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified.  The Company
will file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of each
jurisdiction in which the Notes have been qualified as above provided.  The
Company will promptly advise the Agents of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Notes
for sale in any such state or jurisdiction or the initiating or threatening of
any proceeding for such Purpose.

         (j)     1934 Act Filings.  The Company, during the period when the
Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act, will file promptly
all documents required to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.

         (k)     Stand-Off Agreement.  If specified by any Agent in connection
with a purchase by it of Notes as principal, between the date of the agreement
to purchase such Notes and the Settlement Date with respect to such purchase,
the Company will not, without such Agent's prior written consent, offer or
sell, or enter into any agreement to sell, any debt securities of the Company
(other than the Notes that are to be sold pursuant to such agreement and
commercial paper in the ordinary course of business).

         (l)     Suspension of Certain Obligations.  The Company shall not be
required to comply with the provisions of subsections (e), (f) or (g) of this
Section during any period from the time (i) the Agents shall have suspended
solicitation of purchases of the Notes in their capacity as agent pursuant to a
request from the Company and (ii) the Agents shall not then hold any Notes
purchased as principal pursuant hereto, until the time the Company shall
determine that solicitation of purchases of the Notes should be resumed or the
Agents shall subsequently purchase Notes from the Company as principal.





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SECTION 5.       Conditions of Obligations.

         The obligations of each of the Agents to purchase Notes as principal
and to solicit offers to purchase the Notes as agent of the Company, and the
obligations of any purchasers of the Notes sold through an Agent as agent, will
be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of
the Company herein and to the accuracy of the statements of the Company's
officers made in any certificate furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof,
to the performance and observance by the Company of all its covenants and
agreements herein contained and to the following additional conditions
precedent:

         (a)     Legal Opinions.  On the date hereof, each of the Agents shall
have received the following legal opinions, dated as of the date hereof and in
form and substance satisfactory to the Agents:

                 (1)      Opinion of Company Counsel.  The opinion of Jenkens &
         Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation, counsel to the Company, to the
         effect that:

                           (i)    The Company is validly existing as a
                 corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
                 Nevada.

                          (ii)    The Company has corporate power and authority
                 to own, lease and operate its properties as described in the
                 Registration Statement.

                         (iii)    Each Significant Subsidiary of the Company is
                 validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
                 laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate
                 power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
                 as described in the Registration Statement; all of the issued
                 and outstanding capital stock of each such Significant
                 Subsidiary has been duly authorized and validly issued, is
                 fully paid and non-assessable, and, other than with respect to
                 Universal and Boliver except for directors' qualifying shares,
                 is owned by the Company either directly or through
                 subsidiaries; the Company owns, directly or through 
                 subsidiaries, the percentage of voting common stock of
                 Universal that is most recently specified in the Company's 
                 filings with the SEC pursuant to the 1934 Act and 100% 
                 of the non-voting common stock and preferred stock of 
                 Universal, free and clear of any security interest, 
                 mortgage, pledge, lien, claim or encumbrance except 
                 for rights of Universal to purchase or redeem the voting 
                 common stock, non-voting common stock and preferred stock of 
                 Universal owned by the Company pursuant to the terms the 
                 Universal Shareholders' Agreement.
 
                          (iv)    This Agreement has been duly and validly
                 authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.

                           (v)    The Indenture has been duly and validly
                 authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and
                 (assuming the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
                 delivered by the Trustee) constitutes a legal, valid and
                 binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the
                 Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement 
                 thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, 
                 reorganization,





                                       12
   13

                 moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting enforcement
                 of creditors' rights generally, or by general equity
                 principles, and except further as enforcement thereof may be
                 limited by (A) requirements that a claim with respect to any
                 Notes denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a foreign
                 currency or foreign currency unit judgment in respect of such
                 claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of
                 exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to
                 applicable law or (B) governmental authority to limit, delay
                 or prohibit the making of payments in foreign currency or
                 currency units or payments outside the United States.

                          (vi)    The Notes, in the form(s) certified by the
                 Company as of the date hereof, have been duly authorized for
                 issuance, offer and sale pursuant to this Agreement and, when
                 issued, authenticated and delivered pursuant to the provisions
                 of this Agreement and the Indenture against payment of the
                 consideration therefor, will constitute valid and legally
                 binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the
                 Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement 
                 thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, 
                 reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or 
                 affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by 
                 general equity principles, and except further as enforcement 
                 thereof may be limited by (A) requirements that a claim with 
                 respect to any Notes denominated other than in U.S. dollars 
                 (or a foreign currency or foreign currency unit judgment in 
                 respect of such claim) be converted into United States 
                 dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date
                 determined pursuant to applicable law or (B) governmental
                 authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments
                 in foreign currency or currency units or payments outside the
                 United States; and each holder of Notes will be entitled to
                 the benefits of the Indenture.

                         (vii)    The statements in the Prospectus under the
                 captions "Description of Debt Securities" and "Description of
                 Notes", insofar as they purport to summarize certain
                 provisions of documents specifically referred to therein, are
                 accurate summaries of such provisions in all material respects.

                        (viii)    The Indenture is qualified under the 1939 Act.

                          (ix)    The Registration Statement is effective under
                 the 1933 Act and, to such counsel's knowledge, no stop order
                 suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has
                 been issued under the 1933 Act or proceedings therefor
                 initiated or threatened by the SEC.

                           (x)     At the time the Registration Statement
                 became effective, the Registration Statement complied as to
                 form in all material respects with the requirements of the
                 1933 Act, the 1939 Act and the regulations under each of those
                 Acts.





                                       13
   14
                        (xi)    To such counsel's knowledge, there are no legal
                or governmental proceedings pending or threatened with respect
                to the Company that are required to be disclosed in the
                Prospectus, other than those disclosed therein.

                       (xii)    To such counsel's knowledge, neither the 
                Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries is in violation
                of its charter. The execution and delivery of this Agreement 
                and of the Indenture, and the consummation by the Company of 
                the transactions contemplated herein and therein have been duly
                authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the
                Company and will not conflict with or constitute a breach of, 
                or default under, or result in the creation or imposition of 
                any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of 
                the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries pursuant to,
                any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease 
                or other instrument that has been included as an exhibit to the
                Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 
                December 31, 1993, and to which the Company or any such 
                subsidiary is a party or by which it or any of them may be
                bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company 
                or any such subsidiary is subject, or any law, administrative 
                regulation or administrative or court decree known to such 
                counsel to be applicable to the Company of any court or 
                governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator having
                jurisdiction over the Company; nor will such actions result in 
                any violation of the provisions of the charter or bylaws of the
                Company.

                        (xiii)    To the best of such counsel's knowledge,
                there are no contracts, indentures, mortgages, loan agreements,
                notes, leases or other instruments or documents required to be
                described or referred to in the Registration Statement or to be
                filed as exhibits thereto other than those described or
                referred to therein or filed or incorporated by reference as
                exhibits therefor and the descriptions thereof or references
                thereto are correct.

                        (xiv)    No consent, approval, authorization, order or
                decree of any court or governmental agency or body (including
                the SEC) is required for the consummation by the Company of the
                transactions contemplated by this Agreement or in connection
                with the sale of Notes hereunder, except such as have been
                obtained or rendered, as the case may be, or as may be required
                under state securities laws.

                        (xv)    The Notes, in the forms certified by the
                Company as of the date hereof, when issued, authenticated and
                delivered pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and the
                Indenture, will be excluded or exempted from the provisions of
                the Commodity Exchange Act, assuming the accuracy of any
                certificates of factual matters furnished by the Agent or the
                Company in connection with the issuance thereof.

                        (xvi)    Each document filed pursuant to the 1934 Act
                and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus complied when
                filed as to form in all material respects with the 1934 Act and
                the 1934 Act Regulations thereunder.





                                       14
   15
                        (xvii)    The information contained in the Prospectus
                 under the captions "Certain United States Federal Income Tax
                 Considerations" and the information incorporated by reference
                 in the Prospectus under the captions "Item 1.  Business -
                 Business and Properties - Marine Transportation - Governmental
                 Regulations", "Item 1.  Business - Business and Properties -
                 Marine Transportation - Environmental Regulations" and "Item
                 3.  Legal Proceedings" in the Company's Annual Report on Form
                 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, to the extent that
                 it constitutes matters of law or legal conclusions, has been
                 reviewed by such counsel and is correct in all material
                 respects.

                 (2)         Opinion of Counsel to the Agents.  The opinion of
         counsel to the Agents, covering the matters referred to in
         subparagraph (1) under the subheadings (i) and (iv) to (x), inclusive,
         above.

                 (3)         In giving their opinions required by subsection
         (a)(1) and (a)(2)  of  this Section, counsel to the Company and
         counsel to the Agents shall each additionally state that nothing has
         come to their attention that would lead them to believe that the
         Registration Statement, at the time it became effective or, if an
         amendment to the Registration Statement or an Annual Report on Form
         10-K has been filed by the Company with the SEC subsequent to the
         effectiveness of the Registration Statement then at the time such
         amendment became effective or at the time of the most recent such
         filing, as the case may be, or at the date hereof, contained or
         contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to
         state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
         order to make the statements therein not misleading or that the
         Prospectus, as amended or supplemented at the date hereof, or (if such
         opinion is being delivered in connection with the purchase of Notes by
         an Agent as principal pursuant to Section 7(c) hereof) at the date of
         any agreement by such Agent to purchase Notes as principal and at the
         Settlement Date with respect thereto, as the case may be, included or
         includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to
         state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
         therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made,
         not misleading.

         (b)     Officer's Certificate.  At the date hereof each Agent shall
have received a certificate of the President or Vice President and the chief
financial or chief accounting officer of the Company, dated as of the date
hereof, to the effect that (i) since the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or since
the date of any agreement by an Agent to purchase Notes as principal, there has
not been any material adverse change in the business or financial condition of
the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not
arising in the ordinary course of business, (ii) the other representations and
warranties of the Company contained in Section 2 hereof are true and correct
with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the date
of such certificate, (iii) the Company has performed or complied with all
agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or
satisfied at or prior to the date of such certificate, and (iv) that no stop
order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been
issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been initiated or threatened by
the SEC.





                                       15
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         (c)     Comfort Letter.  At the date hereof, each Agent shall have
received a letter from KPMG Peat Marwick, the Company's independent public
accountants, dated as of the date hereof and in form and substance satisfactory
to the Agent, to the effect that:

                           (i)    They are independent public accountants with
                 respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning
                 of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

                          (ii)    In their opinion, the consolidated financial
                 statements and supporting schedule(s) of the Company and its
                 subsidiaries audited by them and incorporated by reference in 
                 the Registration Statement comply as to form in all material 
                 respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the 
                 1933 Act and the related rules and regulations with respect 
                 to registration statements on Form S-3.

                         (iii)    They have performed specified procedures, not
                 constituting an audit, including a reading of the latest
                 available interim financial statements of the Company and its
                 indicated subsidiaries, a reading of the minute books of the
                 Company and such subsidiaries since the end of the most recent
                 fiscal year with respect to which an audit report has been
                 issued, inquiries of and discussions with certain officials of
                 the Company and such subsidiaries responsible for financial
                 and accounting matters with respect to the unaudited
                 consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by
                 reference in the Registration Statement and Prospectus and the
                 latest available interim unaudited financial statements of the
                 Company and its subsidiaries, and such other inquiries and
                 procedures as may be specified in such letter, and on the
                 basis of such inquiries and procedures nothing came to their
                 attention that caused them to believe that: (A) the unaudited
                 consolidated financial statements of the Company and its
                 subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the
                 Registration Statement and Prospectus do not comply as to form
                 in all material respects with the applicable accounting
                 requirements of the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations or
                 were not fairly presented in conformity with generally
                 accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on
                 a basis substantially consistent with that of the audited
                 financial statements included or incorporated by reference
                 therein, or (b) at a specified  date not more than five days
                 prior to the date of such letter, there was any change in the
                 consolidated capital stock or any increase in consolidated
                 long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries or any
                 decrease in the consolidated net assets of the Company and its
                 subsidiaries, in each case as compared with the amounts shown
                 on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company
                 and its subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in
                 the Registration Statement and Prospectus or, during the
                 period from the date of such balance sheet to a specified date
                 not more than five days prior to the date of such letter,
                 there were any decreases, as compared with the corresponding
                 period in the preceding year in consolidated revenues or net
                 income of the Company and its subsidiaries, except in each
                 such case as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration





                                       16
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                 Statement and Prospectus or except for such exceptions
                 enumerated in such letter as shall have been agreed to by the
                 Agents and the Company.

                          (iv)    In addition to the examination referred to in
                 their report included or incorporated by reference in the
                 Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and the limited
                 procedures referred to in clause (iii) above, they have
                 carried out certain other specified procedures, not
                 constituting an audit, with respect to certain amounts,
                 percentages and financial information which are included or
                 incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and
                 Prospectus and which are specified by the Agents, and have
                 found such amounts, percentages and financial information to
                 be in agreement with the relevant accounting financial and
                 other records of the Company and its subsidiaries identified
                 in such letter.

         (d)     Other Documents.  On the date hereof and on each Settlement
Date, counsel to the Agents shall have been furnished with such documents and
opinions as such counsel may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling
such counsel to pass upon the issuance and sale of Notes as herein contemplated
and related proceedings, or in order to evidence the accuracy and completeness
of any of the representations and warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the
conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in
connection with the issuance and sale of Notes as herein contemplated shall be
satisfactory in form and substance to the Agents and to counsel to the Agents.

         If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been
fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, this Agreement (or, at the
option of an Agent, any applicable agreement by such Agent to purchase Notes as
principal) may be terminated by an Agent by notice to the Company at any time
and any such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other
party, except that the covenant regarding provision of an earnings statement
set forth in Section 4(h) hereof, the provisions concerning payment of expenses
under Section 10 hereof, the indemnity and contribution agreement set forth in
Sections 8 and 9 hereof, the provisions concerning the representations,
warranties and agreements to survive delivery of Section 11 hereof, the
provisions relating to governing law set forth in Section 14 and the provisions
set forth under "Parties" of Section 15 hereof shall remain in effect.

SECTION 6.       Delivery of and Payment for Notes Sold through the Agents.

         Delivery of Notes sold through an Agent as agent shall be made by the
Company to such Agent for the account of any purchaser only against payment
therefor in immediately available funds.  In the event that a purchaser shall
fail either to accept delivery of or to make payment for a Note on the date
fixed for settlement, the Agent intending to have sold such Note to such
Purchaser shall promptly notify the Company and deliver the Note to the
Company, and, if such Agent has theretofore paid the Company for such Note, the
Company will promptly return such funds to such Agent.  If such failure
occurred for any reason other than default by such Agent in the performance of
its obligations hereunder, the Company will reimburse such Agent on an
equitable basis for its loss of the use of the funds for the period such funds
were credited to the Company's account.





                                       17
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SECTION 7.       Additional Covenants of the Company.

         The Company covenants and agrees with the each of Agents that:

         (a)     Reaffirmation of Representations and Warranties.  Each
acceptance by an Agent of an offer for the purchase of Notes (whether to such
Agent as principal or through such Agent as agent), and each delivery of Notes
to an Agent (whether to such Agent as principal or through such Agent as
agent), shall be deemed to be an affirmation that the representations and
warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement and in any certificate
theretofore delivered to such Agent pursuant hereto are true and correct at the
time of such acceptance or sale, as the case may be, and an undertaking that
such representations and warranties will be true and correct at the time of
delivery to the purchaser or its agent or to such Agent, of the Note or Notes
relating to such acceptance or sale, as the case may be, as though made at and
as of each such time (and it is understood that such representations and
warranties shall relate to the Registration Statement and Prospectus as amended
and supplemented to each such time).

         (b)     Subsequent Delivery of Certificates.  Each time that (i) the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented
(other than by an amendment or supplement providing solely for a change in the
interest rates of Notes or similar changes), (ii) there is filed with the SEC
any document incorporated by reference into the Prospectus (other than any
Current Report on Form 8-K relating exclusively to the issuance of debt
securities under the Registration Statement other than the Notes, unless the
Agents shall otherwise specify), (iii) (if required in connection with the
purchase of Notes by an Agent as principal) the Company sells Notes to such
Agent as principal, or (iv) if the Company issues and sells Notes in a form not
previously certified to the Agents by the Company, the Company shall furnished
or cause to be furnished to each Agent, at the Agent's request, a certificate
dated the date of filing with the SEC of such supplement or document, the date
of effectiveness of such amendment, or the date of such sale, as the case may
be, in form satisfactory to the Agents to the effect that the statements
contained in the certificate referred to in Section 5(b) hereof which were last
furnished to the Agents are true and correct at the time of such amendment,
supplement filing or sale, as the case may be, as though made at and as of such
time (except that such statements shall be deemed to relate to the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to such time) or, in
lieu of such certificate, a certificate of the same tenor as the certificate
referred to in said Section 5(b), modified as necessary to relate to the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the
time of delivery of such certificate.

         (c)     Subsequent Delivery of Legal Opinions.  Each time that (i) the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented
(other than by an amendment or supplement providing solely for a change in the
interest rates of the Notes or similar changes or solely for the inclusion of
additional financial information, (ii) there is filed with the SEC any document
incorporated by reference into the Prospectus (other than any Current Report on
Form 8-K, unless the Agents shall otherwise specify), (iii) (if required in
connection with the purchase of Notes by an Agent as principal) the Company
sells Notes to such Agent as principal, or (iv) if the Company issues and sells
Notes in a form not previously certified to the Agent by the





                                       18
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Company, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each Agent, at
the Agent's request, and to counsel to the Agents, a written opinion of Jenkens
& Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation, Counsel to the Company, or other
counsel satisfactory to the Agents dated the date of filing with the SEC of
such supplement or document, the date of effectiveness of such amendment, or
the date of such sale, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory
to the Agents, of the same tenor as the opinion referred to in Section 5(a)(1)
hereof but modified, as necessary, to relate to the Registration Statement and
the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the time of delivery of such
opinion; or, in lieu of such opinion, counsel last furnishing such opinion to
the Agents shall furnish the Agents with a letter to the effect that the Agents
may rely on such last opinion to the same extent as though it was dated the
date of such letter authorizing reliance (except that statements in such last
opinion shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus as amended and supplemented to the time of delivery of such letter
authorizing reliance).

         (d)     Subsequent Delivery of Comfort Letters.  Each time that (i)
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented
to include additional financial information or there is filed with the SEC any
document incorporated by reference into the Prospectus which contains
additional financial information or (ii) (if required in connection with the
purchase of Notes by an Agent as principal) the Company sells Notes to such
Agent as principal, the Company shall cause KPMG Peat Marwick to furnish each
Agent, at such Agent's request, a letter, dated the date of effectiveness of
such amendment, supplement or document with the SEC, or the date of such sale,
as the case may be, in form satisfactory to such Agent, of the same tenor as
the portions of the letter referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 5(c)
hereof but modified to relate to the Registration Statement and Prospectus, as
amended and supplemented to the date of such letter, and of the same general
tenor as the portions of the letter referred to in clauses (iii) and (iv) of
said Section 5(c) with such changes as may be necessary to reflect changes in
the financial statements and other information derived from the accounting
records of the Company.

SECTION 8.       Indemnification.

         (a)     Indemnification of the Agents.  The Company agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless each Agent and each person, if any, who controls an
Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act as follows:

                   (i)    against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage
         and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue
         statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in
         the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), or the omission
         or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary to make the
         statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue
         statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in
         the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the
         omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary to
         make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
         which they were made, not misleading, unless such untrue statement or
         omission or such alleged untrue statement or omission was made in
         reliance upon and in conformity with written information





                                       19
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         furnished to the Company by the Agents expressly for use in the
         Registration Statement or the Prospectus;

                  (ii)    against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage
         and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate
         amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or investigation or
         proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
         threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue
         statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or
         omission, if such settlement is effected with the written consent of
         the Company; and

                 (iii)    against any and all expenses (including the fees and
         disbursements of counsel chosen by the Agent) reasonably incurred in
         investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or
         investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body,
         commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such
         untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or
         omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or
         (ii) above.

         (b)     Indemnification of Company.  Each Agent agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed
the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any and all loss,
liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in
subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue
statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any
amendment, or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to the Company by such Agent expressly for use in
the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or the Prospectus (or any
amendment or supplement thereto).

         (c)     General.  Each indemnified party shall give prompt notice to
each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which
indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying
party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability which it may
have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement.  An indemnifying
party may participate at its own expense in the defense of such action.  In no
event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for the fees and expenses of
more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) for all indemnified
parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related
actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or
circumstances.

SECTION 9.       Contribution.

         In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in
circumstances in which the indemnity agreement provided for in Section 8 hereof
is for any reason held to be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless
the indemnified parties although applicable in accordance with its terms, the
Company and each Agent shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities,
claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity
agreement incurred





                                       20
   21
by the Company and each Agent, as incurred, in such proportions that each such
Agent is responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the
total commissions and underwriting discounts received by such Agent to the date
of such liability bears to the total sales price from the sale of Notes sold to
or through such Agent to the date of such liability, and the Company is
responsible for the balance; provided, however, that no person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933
Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of
such fraudulent misrepresentation.  For purposes of this Section, each person,
if any, who controls an Agent within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
shall have the same rights to contribution as such Agent, and each director of
the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement,
and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company.

SECTION 10.      Payment of Expenses.

         The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement, including:

         (a)     The preparation and filing of the Registration Statement and
au amendments thereto and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
thereto;

         (b)     The preparation, filing and reproduction of this Agreement;

         (c)     The preparation, printing, issuance and delivery of the Notes,
including any fees and expenses relating to the use of book-entry notes;

         (d)     The fees and disbursements of the Company's accountants and
counsel, of the Trustee and its counsel, and of any Calculation Agent or
Exchange Rate Agent;

         (e)     The reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the Agents
incurred in connection with the establishment of the program relating to the
Notes and incurred from time to time in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby;

         (f)     The qualification of the Notes under state securities laws in
accordance with the provisions of Section 4(i) hereof including filing fees and
the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Agents in connection
therewith and in connection with the preparation of any Blue Sky Survey and any
Legal Investment Survey;

         (g)     The printing and delivery to the Agents in quantities as
hereinabove stated of copies of the Registration Statement and any amendments
thereto, and of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, and
the delivery by the Agents of the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements
thereto in connection with solicitations or confirmations of sales of the
Notes;





                                       21
   22
         (h)     The preparation, printing, reproducing and delivery to the
Agents of copies of the Indenture and all supplements and amendments thereto;

         (i)     Any fees charged by rating agencies for the rating of the
Notes;

         (j)     The fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing
of the Notes on any securities exchange;

         (k)     The fees and expenses, if any, incurred with respect to any
filing with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.;

         (l)     Any advertising and other out-of-pocket expenses of the Agents
incurred with the approval of the Company;

         (m)     The cost of providing, any CUSIP or other identification
numbers for the Notes;  and

         (n)     The fees and expenses of any Depositary (as defined in the
Indenture) and any nominees thereof in connection with the Notes.

SECTION 11.      Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive
Delivery.

         All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this
Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant
hereto or thereto, shall remain operative and in full force and effect,
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Agents or any
controlling person of any of the Agents, or by or on behalf of the Company, and
shall survive each delivery of and payment for any of the Notes.

SECTION 12.      Termination.

         (a)     Termination of this Agreement.  This Agreement (excluding any
agreement hereunder by an Agent to purchase Notes as principal) may be
terminated for any reason, at any time by either the Company or an Agent upon
the giving of 30 days' written notice of such termination to the other party
hereto; provided, however, if such terminating party is an Agent, such
termination shall be effective only with respect to such terminating party.

         (b)     Termination of Agreement to Purchase Notes as Principal.  An
Agent may terminate any agreement hereunder by such Agent to purchase Notes as
principal, immediately upon notice to the Company, at any time prior to the
Settlement Date relating thereto (i) if there has been, since the date of such
agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement, any material adverse change in the business or
financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii)
if there shall have occurred any material adverse change in the financial
markets in the United States or any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or
other national or international calamity or crisis the effect of which is such
as to





                                       22
   23
make it, in the judgment of such Agent, impracticable to market the Notes or
enforce contracts for the sale of the Notes, or (iii) if trading in any
securities of the Company has been suspended by the SEC or a national
securities exchange, or if trading generally on either the American Stock
Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange shall have been suspended, or minimum
or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for
securities have been required, by either of said exchanges or by order of the
SEC or any other governmental authority, or if a banking moratorium shall have
been declared by either Federal, New York or Texas authorities or if a banking
moratorium shall have been declared by the relevant authorities in the country
or countries of origin of any foreign currency or currencies in which the Notes
are denominated or payable, or (iv) if the rating assigned by any nationally
recognized securities rating agency to any debt securities of the Company as of
the date of any applicable principal purchase shall have been lowered since
that date or if such rating agency shall have publicly announced that it has
under surveillance or review, with possible negative implications, its rating
of any debt securities of the Company, or (v) if there shall have come to such
Agent's attention any facts that would cause such Agent to believe that the
Prospectus, at the time it was required to be delivered to a purchaser of
Notes, included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances existing at the time of such delivery, not misleading.

         (c)     General.  In the event of any such termination, neither party
will have any liability to the other party hereto, except that (i) an Agent
shall be entitled to any commission earned in accordance with the third
paragraph of Section 3(b) hereof (ii) if at the time of termination (a) the
Agent shall own any Notes purchased by it as principal with the intention of
reselling them or (b) an offer to purchase any of the Notes has been accepted
by the Company but the time of delivery to the purchaser or his agent of the
Note or Notes relating thereto has not occurred, the covenants set forth in
Sections 4 and 7 hereof shall remain in effect until such Notes are so resold
or delivered, as the case may be, and (iii) the covenant set forth in Section
4(h) hereof the provisions of Section 10 hereof the indemnity and contribution
agreements set forth in Sections 8 and 9 hereof, and the provisions of Sections
11, 14 and 15 hereof shall remain in effect.

SECTION 13.      Notices.

         Unless otherwise provided herein, all notices required under the terms
and provisions hereof shall be in writing, either delivered by hand, by mail or
by telex, telecopier or telegram, and any such notice shall be effective when
received at the address specified below.

         If to the Company:

               Kirby Corporation
               1775 St. James Place, Suite 300
               Houston, Texas 77056
               Attention: Brian K. Harrington
         




                                       23
   24
         with a copy to:

                 Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation
                 1445 Ross Avenue
                 Suite 3200
                 Dallas, Texas 75202-2799
                 Attention:  Henry Gilchrist

         If to an Agent:

                 Merrill Lynch & Co.
                 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
                 North Tower - 10th Floor
                 World Financial Center
                 New York, New York 10281-1310
                 Attention: MTN Product Management
                 Fax: (212) 449-2234

                 Salomon Brothers Inc
                 Seven World Trade Center
                 New York, New York 10048
                 Attention:  Medium-Term Note Group
                 Fax:  (212) 783-2274

                 Wertheim Schroder & Co. Incorporated
                 787 Seventh Avenue
                 New York, New York  10019-6016
                 Attention:  Capital Markets/Fixed Income
                 Fax:  (212) 492-7031
         
         with a copy to:

                 Andrews & Kurth L.L.P.
                 4200 Texas Commerce Tower
                 Houston, Texas 77002
                 Attention:  Thomas P. Mason

or at such other address as such party may designate from time to time by
notice duly given in accordance with the terms of this Section 13.

SECTION 14.      Governing Law; Forum.

         THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES SHALL
BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN SUCH STATE.  ANY
SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY THE COMPANY AGAINST AN AGENT IN
CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE BROUGHT SOLELY IN THE
SATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF APPROPRIATE JURISDICTION LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF
MANHATTAN, THE CITY OF NEW YORK.





                                       24
   25
SECTION 15.      Parties.

         This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
each of the Agents and the Company and their respective successors.  Nothing
expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to
give any person, firm or corporation, other than the parties hereto and their
respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors
referred to in Sections 8 and 9 and their heirs and legal representatives, any
legal or equitable right remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement
or any provision herein contained.  This Agreement and all conditions and
provisions hereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the
parties hereto and respective successors and said controlling persons and
officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the
benefit of no other person, firm or corporation.  No purchaser of Notes shall
be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase.





                                       25
   26
         If the foregoing is in accordance with the Agents' understanding of
our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof,
whereupon this instrument along with all counterparts will become a binding
agreement between the Agents and the Company in accordance with its terms.

                                              Very truly yours,

                                              KIRBY CORPORATION

                                              By:_____________________
                                              Name:___________________
                                              Title:__________________

Accepted:

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
         INCORPORATED


By:_______________________________
Name:_____________________________
Title:____________________________


SALOMON BROTHERS INC


By:_______________________________
Name:_____________________________
Title:____________________________


WERTHEIM SCHRODER & CO. INCORPORATED


By:_______________________________
Name:_____________________________
Title:____________________________





                                       26
   27
                                   EXHIBIT A

         The following terms, if applicable, shall be agreed to by the Agents
and the Company in connection with each sale of Notes:

         Principal Amount: $________
                 (or principal amount of foreign currency)

         Interest Rate:
                 If Fixed Rate Note, Interest Rate:

                 If Floating Rate Note:
                          Interest Rate Basis:
                          Initial Interest Rate:
                          Spread or Spread Multiplier, if any:
                          Interest Reset Date(s):
                          Interest Payment Date(s):
                          Index Maturity:
                          Maximum Interest Rate, if any:
                          Minimum Interest Rate, if any:
                          Interest Reset Period:
                          Interest Payment Period:
                          Calculation Agent:

         If Redeemable:
                 Initial Redemption Date:
                 Initial Redemption Percentage:
                 Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction:
         If Repayable:
                 Optional Repayment Date(s):

         Date of Maturity:
         Purchase Price: _____%
         Settlement Date and Time:
         Currency of Denomination:
         Denominations (ff currency is other than U.S. dollar):
         Currency of Payment:
         Additional Terms:
   28
Also, in connection with the purchase of Notes by an Agent as principal,
agreement as to whether the following will be required:

         Officer's Certificate pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Distribution
         Agreement. 
         Legal Opinion pursuant to Section 7(c)of the Distribution Agreement. 
         Comfort Letter pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Distribution Agreement. 
         Stand-off Agreement pursuant to Section 4(k) of the Distribution 
         Agreement.
   29
                                   SCHEDULE A

         As compensation for the services of the Agents hereunder, the Company
shall pay it, on a discount basis, a commission for the sale of each Note equal
to the principal amount of such Note multiplied by the appropriate percentage
set forth below:

MATURITY RANGES PERCENT OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT From 9 months to less than 1 year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125% From 1 year to less than 18 months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150 From 18 months to less than 2 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200 From 2 years to less than 3 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250 From 3 years to less than 4 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .350 From 4 years to less than 5 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .450 From 5 years to less than 6 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500 From 6 years to less than 7 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .550 From 7 years to less than 10 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .600 From 10 years to less than 15 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .625 From 15 years to less than 20 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .700 From 20 years to less than 30 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .750 Greater than 30 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *
_______________ * As agreed to at the time of sale by the Company and an Agent acting as principal or agent with respect to such sale.
   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1



                       FIXED RATE GLOBAL MEDIUM-TERM NOTE


         Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative
of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to Issuer or
its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any
certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other
name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is
made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

                                                   PRINCIPAL OR FACE REGISTERED
                                                   AMOUNT
No. FX___      CUSIP No. ___________________       $_______________________
                                            

                               KIRBY CORPORATION
                                MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                                  (Fixed Rate)

________________________________________________________________________________

                    * * * ( ) CHECK IF AN INDEXED NOTE * * *
               IF CHECKED, CALCULATION AGENT: __________________

If this is an Indexed Note, references herein to "principal" shall be deemed to
be the face amount hereof, except that the amount payable upon Maturity of this
Note shall be determined in accordance with the formula or formulas set forth
below or in an attached Addendum hereto.
________________________________________________________________________________


ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:            INTEREST RATE:           STATED MATURITY DATE:





INTEREST PAYMENT DATES:
   2


INITIAL REDEMPTION              INITIAL REDEMPTION       ANNUAL REDEMPTION
DATE:                           PERCENTAGE:              PERCENTAGE REDUCTION:
                                





OPTIONAL REPAYMENT DATE(S):





DAY COUNT CONVENTION
(  )     30/360 FOR THE PERIOD FROM                               TO           .
(  )     ACTUAL/360 FOR THE PERIOD FROM                           TO           .
(  )     ACTUAL/ACTUAL FOR THE PERIOD FROM                        TO           .

ADDENDUM ATTACHED:                           ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT:
(  )     Yes                                 (  ) Yes
(  )     No                                  (  ) No
                                             Total Amount of OID:
                                             Yield to Maturity:
                                             Initial Accrual Period:
                                             

OTHER PROVISIONS:





                                       2
   3
         Kirby Corporation, a Nevada corporation ("Issuer" or the "Company,"
which terms include any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or
registered assigns, the principal sum of ____________________________________
DOLLARS, or if this is an Indexed Note, the principal amount as determined in
accordance with the terms set forth under "Other Provisions" above and/or in
the Addendum attached hereto, on the Stated Maturity Date specified above
(except to the extent redeemed or repaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date),
and to pay interest on the principal or face amount as set forth above at the
Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or
duly made available for payment.  Reference herein to "this Note", "hereof",
"herein" and comparable terms shall include an Addendum hereto if an Addendum
is specified above.

         The Company will pay interest on each Interest Payment Date specified
above, commencing on the first Interest Payment Date next succeeding the
Original Issue Date specified above, and on the Stated Maturity Date or any
Redemption Date or Optional Repayment Date (if specified as repayable at the
option of the Holder in an attached Addendum) (the date of each such Stated
Maturity Date, Redemption Date and Optional Repayment Date and the date on
which principal or an installment of principal is due and payable by
declaration of acceleration pursuant to the Indenture being referred to
hereinafter as a "Maturity" with respect to principal payable on such date);
provided, however, that if the Original Issue Date is between a Regular Record
Date (as defined below) and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest
payments will commence on the Interest Payment Date immediately following the
next succeeding Regular Record Date.  Except as provided above, interest
payments will be made on the Interest Payment Dates shown above.  Unless
otherwise specified above, the "Regular Record Date" shall be the date 15
calendar days (whether or not a Business Day) prior to the applicable Interest
Payment Date.  Interest on this Note will accrue from and including the most
recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided
for or, if no interest has been paid, from the Original Issue Date specified
above, to, but excluding such Interest Payment Date.  If the Maturity or an
Interest Payment Date falls on a day which is not a Business Day as defined
below, the payment due on such Maturity or Interest Payment Date will be paid
on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made
on such Maturity or Interest Payment Date, as the case may be, and no interest
shall accrue with respect to such payment for the period from and after such
Maturity or Interest Payment Date.  The interest so payable and punctually paid
or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date will as provided in the
Indenture be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular
Record Date for such Interest Payment Date.  Any such interest which is
payable, but not punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment
Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest"), shall forthwith cease to be payable
to the registered Holder on such Regular Record Date, and may be paid to the
Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is
registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of
such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Paying Agent, notice whereof shall be
given to the Holder of this Note not less than 10 days prior to such Special
Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more
fully provided in the Indenture.





                                       3
   4
         Payment of the principal of and interest on this Note will be made at
the office or agency of the Company maintained by the Company for such purpose,
in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of
payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided,
however, that at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by
check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address
shall appear in the Security Register; and provided, further, that upon the
request of the Holder hereof, if the principal amount of this Note is
$10,000,000 or more, such Holder will be entitled to receive interest payments
by wire transfer of immediately available funds if appropriate wire transfer
instructions have been received in writing by the office or agency of the
Company maintained by the Company for such purpose not less than 15 days prior
to such Interest Payment Date.

         Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
or on behalf of Texas Commerce Bank National Association, the Trustee for this 
Note under the Indenture, or its successor thereunder, by the manual signature 
of one of its authorized officers, this Note shall not be entitled to any 
benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

         This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Securities
(hereinafter called the "Securities") of the Company designated as its
Medium-Term Notes (the "Notes").  The Notes are issued and to be issued under
an Indenture dated as of December 2, 1994 (herein called the "Indenture")
between the Company and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, to which 
Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made 
for a statement of the respective rights thereunder of the Company, the 
Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and the terms upon which the Notes are 
to be authenticated and delivered.  The terms of individual Notes may vary with
respect to interest rates or interest rate formulas, issue dates, maturity,
redemption, repayment, currency of payment and otherwise.

         Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, the Notes will be
issued in global form only registered in the name of The Depository Trust
Company (the "Depositary") or its nominee.  The Notes will not be issued in
definitive form, except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, and ownership
of the Notes shall be maintained in book entry form by the Depositary for the
accounts of participating organizations of the Depositary.

         This Note is not subject to any sinking fund and, unless otherwise
provided above in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraphs,
is not redeemable or repayable prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

         If so provided above,this Note may be redeemed by the Company on any
date on and after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, specified above.  If no
Initial Redemption Date is set forth above, this Note may not be redeemed prior
to the Stated Maturity Date.  On and after the Initial Redemption Date, if any,
this Note may be redeemed at any time in whole or from time to time in part in
increments of $1,000 (provided that any remaining principal hereof shall be at
least $1,000) at the option of the Company at the applicable Redemption Price
(as defined below), together with accrued interest hereon at the applicable
rate payable to the date of redemption (each such date, a "Redemption Date"),
on written notice given not





                                       4
   5
more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date.  In the event
of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note for the unredeemed portion
hereof shall be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the surrender
hereof.

         Unless otherwise specified above, the "Redemption Price" shall
initially be the Initial Redemption Percentage, specified above, of the
principal amount of this Note to be redeemed and shall decline at each
anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date, shown above, by the Annual
Redemption Percentage Reduction, if any, specified above hereof, of the
principal amount to be redeemed until the Redemption Price is 100% of such
principal amount.

         Unless otherwise specified in an Addendum attached hereto, this Note
is not subject to repayment at the option of the Holder.  If this Note shall be
repayable at the option of the Holder as specified in an attached Addendum
hereto, unless otherwise specified in such Addendum, on any Optional Repayment
Date, this Note shall be repayable in whole or in part in increments of $1,000
(provided that any remaining principal hereof shall be at least $1,000) at the
option of the Holder hereof at a repayment price equal to 100% of the principal
amount to be repaid, together with interest thereon payable to the date of
repayment.  If specified as repayable at the option of the Holder in such
Addendum, for this Note to be repaid in whole or in part at the option of the
Holder hereof, this Note must be received, with the form entitled "Option to
Elect Repayment" below duly completed, by the Paying Agent at its principal
office, or such address which the Company shall from time to time notify the
Holders of the Notes, not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the
related Optional Repayment Date.  Exercise of such repayment option by the
Holder hereof shall be irrevocable.

         Unless otherwise specified above, the "Interest Payment Dates" for the
Fixed Rate Notes will be April 15 and October 15 of each year and the Maturity
Date.  Unless otherwise specified above, interest on Fixed Rate Notes will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

         If any Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date of a Fixed Rate Note
falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment of principal,
premium, if any, and/or interest will be made on the next succeeding Business
Day as if made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on
such payment for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or the
Maturity Date, as the case may be, to the date of such payment on the next
succeeding Business Day.

         As used herein, "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or
Sunday or any other day on which banks in The City of New York are generally
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the
Indenture, for purposes of determining the rights of a Holder of a Note for
which the principal thereof is determined by reference to the price or prices
of specified commodities or stocks, interest rate indices, interest or exchange
rate swap indices, the exchange rate of one or more





                                       5
   6
specified currencies (including a composite currency such as the European
Currency Unit) relative to an indexed currency or such other price, exchange
rate or other financial index or indices as specified above (an "Indexed
Note"), in respect of voting for or against amendments to the Indenture and
modifications and the waiver of rights thereunder, the principal amount of any
such Indexed Note shall be deemed to be equal to the face amount thereof upon
issuance.  The method for determining the amount of principal payable at
Maturity on an Indexed Note will be specified in an attached Addendum.

         Any provision contained herein with respect to the calculation of the
rate of interest applicable to this Note, its payment dates or any other matter
relating hereto may be modified as specified in an Addendum relating hereto if
so specified above, and references herein to "as specified above" or similar
language of like import shall also be references to any such Addendum.

         If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be
continuing, the principal of all the Notes may be declared due and payable in
the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

         The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected thereby at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of
the a majority of the Holders of the aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of each series affected thereby.  The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the  Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of
the Holders of all the Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the
Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults
under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the
Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon
all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of
transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not
notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note
at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

         As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Note may be registered on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of
transfer at the office or agency of the Company in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument
of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly
executed by, the Holder hereof or by its attorney duly authorized in writing,
and thereupon one or more new Notes of authorized denominations and for the
same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.





                                       6
   7
         The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.  As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

         No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

         Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer,
the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat
the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

         The Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

         All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed, manually or in facsimile, and an imprint or facsimile of its
corporate seal to be imprinted hereon.

         (FACSIMILE OF SEAL)            KIRBY CORPORATION



                                        By:___________________________________
                                        Title:________________________________



Attest:



By:_____________________________________





                                       7
   8
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the series of Debt 
Securities issued under the
within mentioned Indenture.

TEXAS COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee



By _______________________________          
       As Authenticating Agent



By _______________________________
        Authorized Signatory



                                       8
   9
                           OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

         The undersigned hereby irrevocably request(s) and instruct(s) the
Company to repay this Note (or portion hereof specified below) pursuant to its
terms at a price equal to the principal amount hereof together with interest to
the repayment date, to the undersigned, at ____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

         For this Note to be repaid, the Paying Agent must receive at its
principal office, or at such other place or places of which the Company shall
from time to time notify the Holder of this Note, not more than 60 nor less
than 30 days prior to an Optional Repayment Date, if any, shown on the face of
this Note, this Note with this "Option to Elect Repayment" form duly completed.

         If less than the entire principal amount of this Note is to be repaid,
specify the portion hereof (which shall be increments of $1,000) which the
Holder elects to have repaid and specify the denomination or denominations
(which shall be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of the Notes to be
issued to the Holder for the portion of this Note not being repaid (in the
absence of any such specification, one such Note will be issued for the portion
not being repaid).


$_________________________________      ____________________________________
                                        NOTICE:  The signature on this
Date:_____________________________      Option to Elect Repayment must 
                                        correspond with the name as written upon
                                        the face of this Note in every
                                        particular, without alteration or
                                        enlargement or any change whatever.





                                       9
   10
                            ASSIGNMENT/TRANSFER FORM


         FOR VALUE RECEIVED  the undersigned registered Holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto (insert Taxpayer Identification No.)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code 
of assignee)
________________________________________________________________________________
the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting 
and appointing
________________________________________________________________________________
attorney to transfer said Note on the books of the Company with full power of 
substitution in the premises.


Dated:   _________________________        ____________________________________

         NOTICE:  The signature of the registered Holder to this assignment
         must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within
         instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or
         any change whatsoever.





                                       10
   11
                                 ABBREVIATIONS

         The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.

                 TEN COM--as tenants in common

                 UNIF     GIFT MIN ACT--................Custodian.............
                                            (Cust)                  (Minor)

                       Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
                       .................................
                                    (State)

                 TEN ENT--as tenants by the entireties
                 JT TEN--as joint tenants with right of survivorship
                         and not as tenants in common

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.





                                       11
   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2


                     FLOATING RATE GLOBAL MEDIUM-TERM NOTE


         Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative
of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to Issuer or
its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any
certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other
name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is
made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

REGISTERED       CUSIP No. ________________________     PRINCIPAL OR FACE AMOUNT
No. FLR___                                                       $______________


                               KIRBY CORPORATION
                                MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                                (Floating Rate)
________________________________________________________________________________

                    * * * ( ) CHECK IF AN INDEXED NOTE * * *

If this is an Indexed Note, references herein to "principal" shall be deemed to
be the face amount hereof, except that the amount payable upon Maturity of this
Note shall be determined in accordance with the formula or formulas set forth
below or in an attached Addendum hereto.
________________________________________________________________________________


INTEREST RATE BASIS:    ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE:            STATED MATURITY DATE:





INDEX MATURITY:         INITIAL INTEREST RATE:          INTEREST PAYMENT PERIOD:





SPREAD:                 INITIAL INTEREST RESET DATE:    INTEREST PAYMENT DATES:
   2


SPREAD MULTIPLIER:      INTEREST RATE RESET PERIOD:     INTEREST RESET DATES:





MAXIMUM INTEREST        MINIMUM INTEREST RATE:     IF INTEREST RATE BASIS IS CMT
RATE:                                              RATE: 
                                                   
 
                                                   DESIGNATED CMT MATURITY
                                                   INDEX: _____ year(s).
 
                                                   DESIGNATED CMT TELERATE PAGE:
                                                   ( ) 7055
                                                   ( ) 7052
                                                   IF 7052:         ( ) WEEK
                                                                    ( ) MONTH


INITIAL REDEMPTION        ANNUAL REDEMPTION        OPTIONAL REPAYMENT
PERCENTAGE:               PERCENTAGE REDUCTION:    DATE(S):




CALCULATION AGENT:                      IF INTEREST RATE
BASIS IS LIBOR:                         INDEX CURRENCY: ________________

                                        DESIGNATED LIBOR PAGE:
                                          ( ) Reuters Page:_____________________
                                          ( ) Telerate Page:____________________


INTEREST CALCULATION:                   DAY COUNT CONVENTION
( ) Regular Floating Rate Note          ( ) Actual/360 for the period
( ) Floating Rate/Fixed Rate                   from       to            .
       Fixed Rate Commencement Date:    ( ) Actual/Actual for the period
       Fixed Interest Rate:                    from       to            .
( )    Inverse Floating Rate Note       ( ) 30/360 for the period
       Fixed Interest Rate:                    from       to            .


ADDENDUM ATTACHED:                      ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
( ) Yes                                 ( ) Yes
( ) No                                  ( ) No
                                        Total Amount of OID:                    
                                        Yield to Maturity:
                                        Initial Accrual Period:
OTHER PROVISIONS:





                                      2
   3
         Kirby Corporation, a Nevada corporation ("Issuer" or the "Company,"
which terms include any successor corporation under the Indenture hereinafter
referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or
registered assigns, the principal sum of _________________________________
DOLLARS, if this is an Indexed Note, the principal amount as determined in
accordance with the terms set forth under "Other Provisions" above and/or in
the Addendum attached hereto, on the Stated Maturity Date specified above
(except to the extent redeemed or repaid prior to the Stated Maturity Date),
and to pay interest on the principal or face amount hereof as set forth above,
at a rate per annum equal to the Initial Interest Rate specified above until
the Initial Interest Reset Date specified above and thereafter at a rate per
annum determined in accordance with the provisions hereof and any Addendum
relating hereto depending upon the Interest Rate Basis or Bases, if any, and
such other terms specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or duly
made available for payment.  Reference herein to "this Note", "hereof",
"herein" and comparable terms shall include an Addendum hereto if an Addendum
is specified above.

         The Company will pay interest monthly, quarterly, semi-annually,
annually or such other period as specified above under "Interest Payment
Period", on each Interest Payment Date specified above, commencing on the first
Interest Payment Date specified above next succeeding the Original Issue Date
specified above, and on the Stated Maturity Date or any Redemption Date or
Optional Repayment Date (if specified as repayable at the option of the Holder
in an attached Addendum) (the date of each such Stated Maturity Date,
Redemption Date and Optional Repayment Date and the date on which principal or
an installment of principal is due and payable by declaration of acceleration
pursuant to the Indenture being referred to hereinafter as a "Maturity" with
respect to principal payable on such date); provided, however, that if the
Original Issue Date is between a Regular Record Date (as defined below) and the
next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest payments will commence on the
Interest Payment Date immediately following the next succeeding Regular Record
Date; and provided further, that if an Interest Payment Date (other than an
Interest Payment Date at Maturity) would fall on a day that is not a Business
Day (as defined below), such Interest Payment Date shall be the following day
that is a Business Day, except that in the case the Interest Rate Basis is
LIBOR, as indicated above, if such next Business Day falls in the next calendar
month, such Interest Payment Date shall be the next preceding day that is a
Business Day.  Except as provided above, interest payments will be made on the
Interest Payment Dates shown above.  Unless otherwise specified above, the
"Regular Record Date" shall be the date 15 calendar days (whether or not a
Business Day) prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date.  Interest on this
Note will accrue from and including the Original Issue Date specified above, at
the rates determined from time to time as specified herein, until the principal
hereof has been paid or made available for payment.  If the Maturity falls on a
day which is not a Business Day as defined below, the payment due on such
Maturity will be paid on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force
and effect as if made on such Maturity and no interest shall accrue with
respect to such payment for the period from and after such Maturity.  The
interest so payable and punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest
Payment Date will as provided in the Indenture be paid to the Person in whose
name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the
close of business on the Regular Record Date for such Interest Payment Date.
Any such interest which is payable, but not punctually paid or duly provided
for on any Interest Payment





                                       3
   4
Date (herein called "Defaulted Interest"), shall forthwith cease to be payable
to the registered Holder on such Regular Record Date, and may be paid to the
Person in whose name this Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is
registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of
such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Paying Agent, notice whereof shall be
given to the Holder of this Note not less than 10 days prior to such Special
Record Date, or may be paid at any time in any other lawful manner, all as more
fully provided in the Indenture.

         Payment of the principal of and interest on this Note will be made at
the office or agency of the Company maintained by the Company for such purpose,
in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of
payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided,
however, that at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by
check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address
shall appear in the Security Register; and provided, further, that upon request
of the Holder hereof, if the principal amount of this Note is $10,000,000 or
more, such Holder will be entitled to receive interest payments by wire
transfer of immediately available funds if appropriate wire transfer
instructions have been received in writing by the office or agency of the
Company maintained by the Company for such purpose not less than 15 days prior
to such Interest Payment Date.

         Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
or on behalf of Texas Commerce Bank National Association, the Trustee with 
respect to the Notes under the Indenture, or its successor thereunder, by the 
manual signature of one of its authorized officers, this Note shall not be 
entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any 
purpose.

         This Note is one of a duly authorized series of Securities
(hereinafter called the "Securities") of the Company designated as its
Medium-Term Notes (the "Notes").  The Notes are issued and to be issued under
an Indenture dated as of December 2, 1994 (herein called the "Indenture")
between the Company and Texas Commerce Bank National Association, which 
Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made 
for a statement of the respective rights thereunder of the Company, the 
Trustee and the Holders of the Notes and the terms upon which the Notes are 
to be authenticated and delivered.  The terms of individual Notes may vary 
with respect to interest rates or interest rate formulas, issue dates, 
maturity, redemption, repayment, currency of payment and otherwise.

         Except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, the Notes will be
issued in global form only registered in the name of The Depository Trust
Company (the "Depositary") or its nominee.  The Notes will not be issued in
definitive form, except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, and ownership
of the Notes shall be maintained in book entry form by the Depositary for the
accounts of participating organizations of the Depositary.

         This Note is not subject to any sinking fund and, unless otherwise
provided above in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraphs,
is not redeemable or repayable prior to the Stated Maturity Date.

         If so provided above, this Note may be redeemed by the Company on any
date on and after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, specified above.  If no
Initial Redemption Date is set





                                       4
   5
forth above, this Note may not be redeemed prior to the Stated Maturity Date.
On and after the Initial Redemption Date, if any, this Note may be redeemed at
any time in whole or from time to time in part in increments of $1,000
(provided that any remaining principal hereof shall be at least $1,000) at the
option of the Company at the applicable Redemption Price (as defined below)
together with accrued interest hereon at the applicable rate payable to the
date of redemption (each such date, a "Redemption Date"), on written notice
given not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the Redemption Date.  In
the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note for the
unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon
the surrender hereof.

         Unless otherwise specified above, the "Redemption Price" shall
initially be the Initial Redemption Percentage, specified above, of the
principal amount of this Note to be redeemed and shall decline at each
anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date, shown above, by the Annual
Redemption Percentage Reduction, if any, specified on the face hereof, of the
principal amount to be redeemed until the Redemption Price is 100% of such
principal amount.

         Unless otherwise specified in an Addendum attached hereto, this Note
is not subject to repayment at the option of the Holder.  If this Note shall be
repayable at the option of the Holder as specified in an attached Addendum
hereto, unless otherwise specified in such Addendum, on any Optional Repayment
Date, this Note shall be repayable in whole or in part in increments of $1,000
(provided that any remaining principal hereof shall be at least $1,000) at the
option of the Holder hereof at a repayment price equal to 100% of the principal
amount to be repaid, together with interest thereon payable to the date of
repayment.  If specified as repayable at the option of the Holder in such
Addendum, for this Note to be repaid in whole or in part at the option of the
Holder hereof, this Note must be received, with the form entitled "Option to
Elect Repayment" below duly completed, by the Paying Agent at its principal
office, or such address which the Company shall from time to time notify the
Holders of the Notes, not more than 60 nor less than 30 days prior to the
related Optional Repayment Date.  Exercise of such repayment option by the
Holder hereof shall be irrevocable.

         The interest rate borne by this Note shall be determined as follows:

                 1.       If this Note is designated as a Regular Floating Rate
         Note above, then, except as described below, this Note shall bear
         interest at the rate determined by reference to the applicable
         Interest Rate Basis shown above (i) plus or minus the applicable
         Spread, if any, and/or (ii) multiplied by the applicable Spread
         Multiplier, if any, specified and applied in the manner described
         above.  Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at
         which interest on this Note is payable shall be reset as of each
         Interest Reset Date specified above; provided, however, that the
         interest rate in effect for the period from the Original Issue Date to
         the Initial Interest Reset Date will be the Initial Interest Rate.

                 2.       If this Note is designated as a Floating Rate/Fixed
         Rate Note above, then, except as described below, this Note shall bear
         interest at the rate determined by reference to the applicable
         Interest Rate Basis shown above (i) plus or minus the





                                       5
   6
         applicable Spread, if any, and/or (ii) multiplied by the applicable
         Spread Multiplier, if any, specified and applied in the manner
         described above.  Commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the
         rate at which interest on this Note is payable shall be reset as of
         each Interest Reset Date specified above; provided, however, that (i)
         the interest rate in effect for the period from the Original Issue
         Date to the Initial Interest Reset Date shall be the Initial Interest
         Rate; and (ii) unless specified above, the interest rate in effect
         commencing on, and including, the Fixed Rate Commencement Date to the
         Maturity shall be the Fixed Interest Rate, if such a rate is specified
         above, or if no such Fixed Interest Rate is so specified, the interest
         rate in effect hereon on the day immediately preceding the Fixed Rate
         Commencement Date.

                 3.       If this Note is designated as an Inverse Floating
         Rate Note above, then, except as described below, this Note will bear
         interest equal to the Fixed Interest Rate indicated above minus the
         rate determined by reference to the applicable Interest Rate Basis
         shown above (i) plus or minus the applicable Spread, if any, and/or
         (ii) multiplied by the applicable Spread Multiplier, if any, specified
         and applied in the manner described above; provided, however, that the
         interest rate hereon will not be less than zero percent.  Commencing
         on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which interest on this
         Note is payable shall be reset as of each Interest Rate Reset Date
         specified above; provided, however, that the interest rate in effect
         for the period from the Original Issue Date to the Initial Interest
         Reset Date shall be the Initial Interest Rate.

                 4.       Notwithstanding the foregoing, if this Note is
         designated above as having an Addendum attached, the Note shall bear
         interest in accordance with the terms described in such Addendum.  If
         interest on this Note is to be calculated in accordance with the terms
         of an attached Addendum, unless otherwise specified in such Addendum,
         commencing on the Initial Interest Reset Date, the rate at which
         interest on this Note is payable shall be reset as of each Interest
         Rate Reset Date specified above; provided, however, that the interest
         rate in effect for the period from the Original Issue Date to the
         Initial Interest Reset Date shall be the Initial Interest Rate.
        
         Except as provided above, the interest rate in effect on each day
shall be (a) if such day is an Interest Reset Date, the interest rate
determined on the Interest Determination Date (as defined below) immediately
preceding such Interest Reset Date or (b) if such day is not an Interest Reset
Date, the interest rate determined on the Interest Determination Date
immediately preceding the next preceding Interest Reset Date.  Each Interest
Rate Basis shall be the rate determined in accordance with the applicable
provision below.  If any Interest Reset Date (which term includes the term
Initial Interest Reset Date unless the context otherwise requires) would
otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date shall
be postponed to the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, except that if
an Interest Rate Basis specified on the face hereof is LIBOR and such next
Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, such Interest Reset
Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

         Unless otherwise specified above, interest payable on this Note on any
Interest Payment Date shall be the amount of interest accrued from and
including the next preceding Interest





                                       6
   7
Payment Date in respect of which interest has been paid (or from and including
the Original Issue Date specified above, if no interest has been paid), to but
excluding the related Interest Payment Date; provided, however, that the
interest payments on Maturity will include interest accrued to but excluding
such Maturity.  Unless otherwise specified above, Notes calculated on an
Actual/360 basis and Actual/Actual basis (as specified above), accrued interest
for each Interest Calculation Period will be calculated by multiplying (i) the
face amount hereof, (ii) the applicable interest rate, and (iii) the actual
number of days in the related Interest Calculation Period, and dividing the
resulting product by 360 or 365, as applicable (or, with respect to an
Actual/Actual basis Floating Rate Note, if any portion of the related Interest
Calculation Period falls in a leap year, the product of (i) and (ii) above will
be multiplied by the sum of (X) the actual number of days in that portion of
the related Interest Calculation Period falling in a leap year divided by 366
and (Y) the actual number of days in that portion of such Interest Calculation
Period falling in a non-leap year divided by 365).  For Notes calculated on a
30/360 basis (as specified above), accrued interest for an Interest Calculation
Period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months,
irrespective of how many days are actually in such Interest Calculation Period.
Unless otherwise specified above and/or in an attached Addendum hereto, if this
Note accrues interest on a 30/360 basis, if any Interest Payment Date or the
date of Maturity falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the related payment
of principal or interest will be made on the next succeeding Business Day as if
made on the date such payment was due, and no interest will accrue on the
amount so payable for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date or
Maturity, as the case may be.  As used herein,  "Interest Calculation Period"
means with respect to any period, the period from and including the most recent
Interest Reset Date (or from and including the original issue date in the case
of the first Interest Reset Date) to but excluding the next succeeding Interest
Reset Date for which accrued interest is being calculated.  Unless otherwise
specified above interest with respect to Notes for which the interest rate is
calculated with reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases will be calculated
in the same manner as if only one of the applicable Interest Rate Bases
applied.

         Unless otherwise specified above, the "Interest Determination Date"
with respect to the CD Rate, the CMT Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate, the
Federal Funds Rate, and the Prime Rate will be the second Business Day
preceding each Interest Reset Date; the "Interest Determination Date" with
respect to LIBOR shall be the second London Business Day (as defined below)
preceding each Interest Reset Date; the "Interest Determination Date" with
respect to the Treasury Rate will be the day in the week in which the related
Interest Reset Date falls on which day Treasury bills (as defined below)
normally would be auctioned (Treasury bills are normally sold at auction on
Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal holiday, in which case the
auction is normally held on the following Tuesday, except that such auction may
be held on the preceding Friday); provided, however, that if, as a result of a
legal holiday, an auction is held on the Friday of the week preceding the
related Interest Reset Date, the related Interest Determination Date shall be
such preceding Friday; and provided, further, that if an auction shall fall on
any Interest Reset Date, then the Interest Reset Date shall instead be the
first Business Day following such auction.  If the interest rate of this Note
is determined with reference to two or more Interest Rate Bases, the Interest
Determination Date pertaining to this Note will be the first Business Day which
is at least two Business Days prior to such Interest





                                       7
   8
Reset Date on which each Interest Rate Basis shall be determinable.  Each
Interest Rate Basis shall be determined and compared on such date, and the
applicable interest rate shall take effect on the related Interest Reset Date.

         Unless otherwise specified above, the "Calculation Date" pertaining to
any Interest Determination Date will be the earlier of (i) the tenth calendar
day after such Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Business
Day, the next succeeding Business Day, or (ii) the Business Day preceding the
applicable Interest Payment Date or date of Maturity, as the case may be.  All
calculations on this Note shall be made by the Calculation Agent specified
above or such successor thereto as is duly appointed by the Company.

         All percentages resulting from any calculation on this Note will be
rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five
one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards (e.g., 9.876545% (or
.09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655)), and all dollar amounts
used in or resulting from such calculation will be rounded to the nearest cent
(with one-half cent being rounded upward).

         As used herein, "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday or
Sunday or any other day on which banks in The City of New York are generally
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close and, if the
applicable Interest Rate Basis shown above is LIBOR, is also a London Business
Day.

         As used herein, "London Business Day" means any day (a) if the Index
Currency specified above is other than the European Currency Unit ("ECU"), on
which dealings in deposits in such Index Currency are transacted in the London
interbank market or (b) if the Index Currency specified above is the ECU, that
is not designated as an ECU Non-Settlement Day by the ECU Banking Association
in Paris or otherwise generally regarded in the ECU interbank market as a day
on which payments on ECUs shall not be made.

         Determination of CD Rate.  If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is
the CD Rate, as indicated above, the CD Rate shall be determined on the
applicable Interest Determination Date (a "CD Rate Interest Determination
Date"), as the rate on such date for negotiable certificates of deposit having
the Index Maturity specified above as published by the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System in "Statistical Release H.15(519), Selected Interest
Rates" or any successor publication ("H.15(519)"), under the heading "CDs
(Secondary Market)", or, if not so published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time,
on the related Calculation Date, the rate on such CD Rate Interest
Determination Date for negotiable certificates of deposit of the Index Maturity
specified above as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in its
statistical release "Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for U.S. Government
Securities" or any successor publication ("Composite Quotations") under the
heading "Certificates of Deposit".  If such rate is not yet published in either
H.15(519) or the Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
Calculation Date, then the CD Rate on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date
will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be the arithmetic mean
(rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five
one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards) of the secondary market
offered rates as of 10:00 A.M.,





                                       8
   9
New York City time, on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date of three
leading non-bank dealers in negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit in
The City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable
certificates of deposit of major United States money market banks in the market
for negotiable certificates of deposit with a remaining maturity closest to the
Index Maturity designated above in an amount that is representative for a
single transaction in that market at that time; provided, however, that if the
dealers selected as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as set
forth above, the CD Rate determined on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date
shall be the CD Rate in effect on such CD Rate Interest Determination Date.

         CMT Rate Notes.  If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is the CMT
Rate the CMT Rate shall be determined on the related Interest Determination
Date (a "CMT Rate Interest Determination Date"), as the rate displayed on the
Designated CMT Telerate Page under the caption ". . . Treasury Constant
Maturities. . . Federal Reserve Board Release H.15 . . . Mondays Approximately
3:45 P.M.," under the column for the Designated CMT Maturity Index for (i) if
the Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7055, the rate on such CMT Rate Interest
Determination Date and (ii) if the Designated CMT Telerate Page is 7052, the
week or the month, as applicable, ended immediately preceding the week in which
the related CMT Rate Interest Determination Date occurs.  If such rate is no
longer displayed on the relevant page, or if not displayed by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate for such CMT
Rate Interest Determination Date will be such Treasury Constant Maturity rate
for the Designated CMT Maturity Index as published in the relevant H.15(519).
If such rate is no longer published, or if not published by 3:00 P.M., New York
City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT Rate for such CMT Rate
Interest Determination Date will be such Treasury Constant Maturity rate for
the Designated CMT Maturity Index (or other United States Treasury rate for the
Designated CMT Maturity Index) for the CMT Rate Interest Determination Date
with respect to such Interest Reset Date as may then be published by either the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the United States
Department of the Treasury that the Calculation Agent determines to be
comparable to the rate formerly displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page
and published in the relevant H.15(519).  If such information is not provided
by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the CMT
Rate for the CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be calculated by the
Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity, based on the arithmetic mean
(rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five
one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards) of the secondary market
closing offer side prices as of approximately 3:30 P.M. (New York City time) on
the CMT Rate Interest Determination Date reported, according to their written
records, by three leading primary United states government securities dealers
(each, a "Reference Dealer") in The City of New York selected by the
Calculation Agent (from five such Reference Dealers selected by the Calculation
Agent and eliminating the highest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one
of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the event of equality, one of
the lowest)), for the most recently issued direct noncallable fixed rate
obligations of the United States ("Treasury Note") with an original maturity of
approximately the Designated CMT Maturity Index and a remaining term to
maturity of not less than such Designated CMT Maturity Index minus one year.
If the Calculation Agent cannot obtain three such Treasury Note quotations, the
CMT Rate for such CMT Interest Determination Date will





                                       9
   10
be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be a yield to maturity based on
the arithmetic mean (rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a
percentage point, with five one millionths of a percentage point rounded
upwards) of the secondary market offer side prices as of approximately 3:30
P.M. (New York City time) on the CMT Rate Interest Determination Date of three
Reference Dealers in The City of New York (from five such Reference Dealers
selected by the Calculation Agent and eliminating the highest quotation (or, in
the event of equality, one of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in the
event of equality, one of the lowest)), for Treasury Notes with an original
maturity of the number of years that is the next highest to the Designated CMT
Maturity Index and a remaining term to maturity closest to the Designated CMT
Maturity Index and in an amount of at least $100 million.  If three or four
(and not five) of such Reference Dealers are quoting as described above, then
the CMT Rate will be based on the arithmetic mean (rounded to the nearest one
hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one millionths of a
percentage point rounded upwards) of the offer prices obtained and neither the
highest nor lowest of such quotes will be eliminated; provided however, that if
fewer than three Reference Dealers as selected as aforesaid by the Calculation
Agent are quoting as described herein, the CMT Rate will be the CMT Rate in
effect on such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date.  If two Treasury Notes
with an original maturity as described in the third preceding sentence, have
remaining terms to maturity equally close to the Designated CMT Maturity Index,
the quotes for the CMT Rate Note with the shorter remaining term to maturity
will be used.

         "Designated CMT Telerate Page" means the display on the Dow Jones
Telerate Service on the page designated above (or any other page as may replace
such page on that service for the purpose of displaying Treasury Constant
Maturities as reported in H.15(519)), for the purpose of displaying Treasury
Constant Maturities as reported in H.15(519).  If no such page is specified
above, the Designated CMT Telerate Page shall be 7052, for the most recent
week.

         "Designated CMT Maturity Index" means the original period to maturity
of the U.S. Treasury securities (either 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20, or 30 years)
specified above with respect to which the CMT Rate will be calculated.  If no
such maturity is specified above, the Designated CMT Maturity Index shall be 2
years.

         Determination of Commercial Paper Rate.  If an Interest Rate Basis for
this Note is the Commercial Paper Rate, as indicated above, the Commercial
Paper Rate shall be determined on the applicable Interest Determination Date (a
"Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date"), as the Money Market Yield
(as defined below) on such date of the rate for commercial paper having the
Index Maturity specified above as published in H.15(519), under the heading
"Commercial Paper".  In the event such rate is not published by 3:00 P.M., New
York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate
shall be the Money Market Yield on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date of the rate for commercial paper having the Index Maturity
shown above as published in Composite Quotations under the heading "Commercial
Paper" (with an Index Maturity of one month or three months being deemed to be
equivalent to an Index Maturity of 30 days or 90 days, respectively).  If by
3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date such rate is not
yet published in either H.15(519) or Composite Quotations, then the Commercial
Paper Rate for such





                                       10
   11
Commercial Paper Rate Interest Determination Date shall be as calculated by the
Calculation Agent and shall be the Money Market Yield of the arithmetic mean
(rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five
one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards) of the offered rates at
approximately 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Commercial Paper Rate
Interest Determination Date of three leading dealers of commercial paper in The
City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent for commercial paper having
the Index Maturity specified above placed for an industrial issuer whose bond
rating is "AA," or the equivalent, from a nationally recognized securities
rating agency; provided, however, that if the dealers selected as aforesaid by
the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the
Commercial Paper Rate determined on such Commercial Paper Rate Interest
Determination Date shall be the rate in effect on such Commercial Paper Rate
Interest Determination Date.

         "Money Market Yield" shall be a yield (expressed as a percentage
rounded upwards to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point)
calculated in accordance with the following formula:

                    Money Market Yield =  D x 360    x 100
                                          -----------
                                          360-(D x M)

where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper quoted
on a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal and "M" refers to the
actual number of days in the interest period for which interest is being
calculated.

         Determination of Federal Funds Rate.  If an Interest Rate Basis for
this Note is the Federal Funds Rate, as indicated above, the Federal Funds Rate
shall be determined on the applicable Interest Determination Date (a "Federal
Funds Rate Interest Determination Date"), as the rate on that date for Federal
Funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Federal Funds (Effective)"
or, if not so published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the rate on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination
Date, as published in Composite Quotations under the heading "Federal
Funds/Effective Rate."  If such rate is not yet published in either H.15(519)
or Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related
Calculation Date, the Federal Funds Rate for such Federal Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent and shall be
the arithmetic mean (rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a
percentage point, with five one millionths of a percentage point rounded
upwards) of the rates for the last transaction in overnight United States
dollar Federal funds arranged by three leading brokers of Federal funds
transactions in The City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent prior to
9:00 A.M., New York City time on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination
Date; provided, however, that if the brokers selected as aforesaid by the
Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Federal
Funds Rate determined on such Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date
shall be the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such Federal Funds Rate Interest
Determination Date.





                                       11
   12
         Determination of LIBOR.  If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note is
LIBOR, as indicated above, LIBOR will be determined on the applicable Interest
Determination Date (a "LIBOR Interest Determination Date"), and will be,
either: (a) if "LIBOR Reuters" is specified above, the arithmetic mean (rounded
to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one
millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards) of the offered rates (unless
the specified Designated LIBOR Page by its terms provides only for a single
rate, in which case such single rate shall be used) for deposits in the Index
Currency having the Index Maturity designated above, commencing on the second
London Business Day immediately following that LIBOR Interest Determination
Date, that appear on the Designated LIBOR Page specified above as of 11:00 A.M.
London time, on that LIBOR Interest Determination Date, if at least two such
offered rates appear (unless, as aforesaid, only a single rate is required) on
such Designated LIBOR Page, or (b) if "LIBOR Telerate" is specified above, the
rate for deposits in the Index Currency having the Index Maturity designated
above commencing on the second London Business Day immediately following that
LIBOR Interest Determination Date, that appears on the Designated LIBOR Page
specified above as of 11:00 A.M. London time, on that LIBOR Interest
Determination Date.  If, as described in the immediately preceding sentence,
fewer than two offered rates appear, or no rate appears, LIBOR in respect of
the related LIBOR Interest Determination Date will be determined as if the
parties had specified the rate described in the immediately succeeding
paragraph.

         With respect to a LIBOR Interest Determination Date on which fewer
than two offered rates appear, or no rate appears, as the case may be, the
Calculation Agent shall request the principal London offices of each of four
major reference banks in the London interbank market, as selected by the
Calculation Agent, to provide the Calculation Agent with its offered quotation
for deposits in the Index Currency for the period of the Index Maturity shown
above, commencing on the second London Business Day immediately following such
LIBOR Interest Determination Date, to prime banks in the London interbank
market at approximately 11:00 A.M., London time, on such LIBOR Interest
Determination Date and in a principal amount that is representative for a
single transaction in the Index Currency in such market at such time.  If at
least two such quotations are provided, LIBOR determined on such LIBOR Interest
Determination Date shall be the arithmetic mean (rounded to the nearest one
hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one millionths of a
percentage point rounded upwards) of such quotations as determined by the
Calculation Agent.  If fewer than two quotations are provided, LIBOR determined
on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date shall be calculated by the
Calculation Agent as the arithmetic mean (rounded to the nearest one
hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one millionths of a
percentage point rounded upwards) of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00
A.M. (or such other time specified above under "OTHER PROVISIONS") in the
applicable Principal Financial Center(s), on such LIBOR Interest Determination
Date by three major banks in such Principal Financial Center(s) selected by the
Calculation Agent for loans in the Index Currency to leading European banks
having the Index Maturity specified above and in a principal amount that is
representative for a single transaction in the Index Currency in such market at
such time; provided, however, that if the banks selected as aforesaid by the
Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, LIBOR
determined on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date shall be LIBOR in effect
on such LIBOR Interest Determination Date.





                                       12
   13
         "Index Currency" means the currency (including composite currencies)
specified above as the currency for which LIBOR shall be calculated.  If no
such currency is specified above, the Index Currency shall be U.S. dollars.

         "Designated LIBOR Page" means either (a) if "LIBOR Reuters" is
designated above, the display on the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service on the
page designated above (or such other page as may replace such designated page
on that service for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates of
major banks) for the related Index Currency for the purpose of displaying the
London interbank rates of major banks for the applicable Index Currency, or (b)
if "LIBOR Telerate" is designated above, the display on the Dow Jones Telerate
Service on the page designated above (or such other page as may replace such
designated page on that service or such other service or services as may be
nominated by the British Bankers' Association for the purpose of displaying
London interbank offered rates for the related Index Currency) for the purpose
of displaying the London interbank rates of major banks for the applicable
Index Currency.  If neither LIBOR Reuters nor LIBOR Telerate is specified
above, LIBOR for the applicable Index Currency will be determined as if LIBOR
Telerate (and, in the case U.S. dollars is the Index Currency, page 3750) had
been specified.

         "Principal Financial Center" will generally be the capital city of the
country of the specified index Currency, except that with respect to United
States dollars, Deutsche Marks, Dutch Guilders, Italian Lire, Swiss Francs and
ECUs, the Principal Financial Center shall be the City of New York, Frankfurt,
Amsterdam, Milan, Zurich and Luxembourg, respectively.

         Determination of Prime Rate.  If an Interest Rate Basis for this Note
is the Prime Rate, as indicated above, the Prime Rate shall be determined on
the applicable Interest Determination Date (a "Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date") as the rate on such date as such rate is published in
H.15(519) under the heading "Bank Prime Loan."  If such rate is not published
prior to 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the related Calculation Date, then
the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean (rounded to the nearest one
hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one millionths of a
percentage point rounded upwards) of the rates of interest publicly announced
by each bank that appears on the Reuters Screen NYMF Page as such bank's prime
rate or base lending rate as in effect for that Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date.  If fewer than four such rates but more than one such rate
appear on the Reuters Screen NYMF Page for such Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date, the Prime Rate shall be the arithmetic mean (rounded to the
nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one millionths
of a percentage point rounded upwards) of the prime rates quoted on the basis
of the actual number of days in the year divided by a 360-day year as of the
close of business on such Prime Rate Interest Determination Date by four major
money center banks in The City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent.
If fewer than two such rates appear on the Reuters Screen NYMF Page, the Prime
Rate will be determined by the Calculation Agent on the basis of the rates
furnished in The City of New York by three substitute banks or trust companies
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, or any state
thereof, having total equity capital of at least $500 million and being subject
to supervision or examination by Federal or state authority, selected by the
Calculation Agent to provide such rate or rates; provided, however, that if the
banks or trust companies selected as aforesaid are not quoting as





                                       13
   14
mentioned in this sentence, the Prime Rate for such Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date will be the Prime Rate in effect on such Prime Rate Interest
Determination Date.

         "Reuters Screen NYMF Page" means the display designated as page "NYMF"
on the Reuters Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace
the NYMF page on that service for the purpose of displaying prime rates or base
lending rates of major United States banks).

         Determination of Treasury Rate.  If an Interest Rate Basis for this
Note is the Treasury Rate, as specified above, the Treasury Rate shall be
determined on the applicable Interest Determination Date (a "Treasury Rate
Interest Determination Date") as the rate applicable to the most recent auction
of direct obligations of the United States ("Treasury bills") having the Index
Maturity specified above, as such rate is published in H.15(519) under the
heading "U.S. Government Securities -- Treasury Bills -- auction average
(investment)" or, if not so published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on the
related Calculation Date, the auction average rate (expressed as a bond
equivalent yield on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and
applied on a daily basis) as otherwise announced by the United States
Department of the Treasury.  In the event that the results of the auction of
Treasury bills having the Index Maturity specified above are not reported as
provided by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such Calculation Date, or if no
such auction is held in a particular week, then the Treasury Rate hereon shall
be the rate published in H.15(519) under the heading "U.S. Government
Securities--Treasury Bills--Secondary Market" (expressed as a bond equivalent
yield on the basis of a 365 or 366 day year, as applicable, on a daily basis),
or if not published by 3:00 P.M. New York City time on the related Calculation
Date, the Treasury Rate will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and shall
be a yield to maturity (expressed as a bond equivalent yield on the basis of a
year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) of the
arithmetic mean (rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage
point, with five one millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards) of the
secondary market bid rates, as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time,
on such Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date of three leading primary
United States government securities dealers as selected by the Calculation
Agent for the issue of Treasury bills with a remaining Maturity closest to the
Index maturity specified above; provided, however, that if the dealers selected
as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this
sentence, the Treasury Rate will be the Treasury Rate in effect on such
Treasury Rate Interest Determination Date.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the
Indenture, for purposes of determining the rights of a Holder of a Note for
which the principal thereof is determined by reference to the price or prices
of specified commodities or stocks, interest rate indices, interest or exchange
rate swap indices, the exchange rate of one or more specified currencies
(including a composite currency such as the European Currency Unit) relative to
an indexed currency or such other price, exchange rate or other financial index
or indices as specified above (an "Indexed Note"), in respect of voting for or
against amendments to the Indenture and modifications and the waiver of rights
thereunder, the principal amount of any such Indexed Note shall be deemed to be
equal to the face amount thereof upon issuance.  The





                                       14
   15
method for determining the amount of principal payable at Maturity on an
Indexed Note will be specified in an attached Addendum.

         Any provision contained herein with respect to the determination of 
an Interest Rate Basis, the specification of Interest Rate Basis,  calculation
of the Interest  Rate applicable to this Note, its payment dates or any other
matter relating hereto may be modified as specified in an Addendum relating
hereto if so specified above, and references herein to "as specified above" or
similar language of like import shall also be references to any such Addendum.
        
         Notwithstanding the foregoing, the interest rate hereon shall not be
greater than the Maximum Interest Rate, if any, or less than the Minimum
Interest Rate, if any, specified above.  The Calculation Agent shall calculate
the interest rate hereon in accordance with the foregoing on or before each
Calculation Date.  The interest rate on this Note will in no event be higher
than the maximum rate permitted by New York law, as the same may be modified by
United States law of general application.

         At the request of the Holder hereof, the Calculation Agent shall
provide to the Holder hereof the interest rate hereon then in effect and, if
determined, the interest rate which shall become effective as of the next
Interest Reset Date.

         If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be
continuing, the principal of all the Notes may be declared due and payable in
the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

         The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided,
the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected thereby at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of
the majority of the Holders of the aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of each series affected thereby.  The Indenture also
contains provisions permitting the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of
the Holders of all the Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the
Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults
under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the
Holder of this Note shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon
all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of
transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof whether or not
notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Note.

         No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note
at the time, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

         As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations
therein set forth, the transfer of this Note may be registered on the Security
Register of the Company, upon surrender





                                       15
   16
of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the
Company in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, duly endorsed by, or
accompanied by a  written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or by
its attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of
authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be
issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

         The Notes are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.  As provided in the
Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are
exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes as requested by the
Holder surrendering the same.

         No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

         Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration of transfer,
the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat
the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

         The Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

         All terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed, manually or in facsimile, and an imprint or facsimile of its
corporate seal to be imprinted hereon.

         (FACSIMILE OF SEAL)            KIRBY CORPORATION



                                        By:_____________________________________
                                        Title:__________________________________



Attest:





                                       16
   17
By:__________________________________



CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
This is one of the series of Debt
Securities issued under the within 
mentioned Indenture.

TEXAS COMMERCE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee



By ______________________________ 
   As Authenticating Agent


By ______________________________ 
   Authorized Signatory





                                       17
   18
                           OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT

         The undersigned hereby irrevocably request(s) and instruct(s) the
Company to repay this Note (or portion hereof specified below) pursuant to its
terms at a price equal to the principal amount hereof together with interest to
the repayment date, to the undersigned, at

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
(Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

         For this Note to be repaid, the Paying Agent must receive at its 
principal office, or at such other place or places of which the Company shall 
from time to time notify the Holder of this Note, not more than 60 nor less 
than 30 days prior to an Optional Repayment Date, if any, shown on the face of 
this Note, this Note with this "Option to Elect Repayment" form duly completed.

         If less than the entire principal amount of this Note is to be repaid,
specify the portion hereof (which shall be increments of $1,000) which the
Holder elects to have repaid and specify the denomination or denominations
(which shall be $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of the Notes to be
issued to the Holder for the portion of this Note not being repaid (in the
absence of any such specification, one such Note will be issued for the portion
not being repaid).


$_________________________________      ________________________________________
                                        NOTICE:  The signature on this
Date:    _________________________      Option to Elect Repayment must
                                        correspond with the name as written
                                        upon the face of this Note in every
                                        particular, without alteration or
                                        enlargement or any change whatever.





                                       18
   19
                            ASSIGNMENT/TRANSFER FORM


         FOR VALUE RECEIVED  the undersigned registered Holder hereby sell(s),
assign(s) and transfer(s) unto 
(insert Taxpayer Identification No.)____________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________
(Please print or typewrite name and address including postal zip code of 
assignee)
________________________________________________________________________________
the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing ______________________________________________ attorney to transfer
said Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the
premises.


Dated:   _________________           ___________________________________________

         NOTICE:  The signature of the registered Holder to this assignment
         must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within
         instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or
         any change whatsoever.





                                       19
   20
                                 ABBREVIATIONS

         The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face
of this instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations.

             TEN COM--as tenants in common
 
             UNIF         GIFT MIN ACT--...................Custodian............
                                               (Cust)                  (Minor)
 
                          Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act
 
                          .................................
                                       (State)
 
                 TEN ENT--as tenants by the entireties
                 JT TEN--as joint tenants with right of survivorship
                         and not as tenants in common

   Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.





                                       20
   21
                         ADDENDUM TO KIRBY CORPORATION
                               MEDIUM-TERM NOTES





                                       1