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                                UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549             SEC FILE NUMBER
                                                              
                                 FORM 12b-25                        1-7615
                                                                    
                         NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING             CUSIP NUMBER
                                                                 497266-10-6
(Check One):
[ ] Form 10-K   [ ] Form 20-F   [X] Form 11-K   [ ] Form 10-Q   [ ] Form N-SAR


                For Period Ended: December 31, 1996
                                  --------------------------
                [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
                [ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
                [ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
                [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
                [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR
                For the Transition Period Ended:
                                                ------------------------------

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* Read Instruction (on back page) Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type. *
*                                                                              *
* NOTHING IN THIS FORM SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THE COMMISSION HAS     *
* VERIFIED ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.                                   *
*                                                                              *
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If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

                               
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PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION
                               

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FULL NAME OF REGISTRANT        

KIRBY CORPORATION
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FORMER NAME IF APPLICABLE

    
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ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE (STREET AND NUMBER)

1775 ST. JAMES PLACE, SUITE 200, HOUSTON, TEXAS  77056-3453
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CITY, STATE AND ZIP CODE       

PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following
should be completed.  (Check box if appropriate)

[ ]       (a)  The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
               form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or 
               expense;

[X]       (b)  The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report
               on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K, Form N-SAR, or portion thereof,
               will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following
               the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report of
               transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed
               on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due
               date; and

[ ]       (c)  The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
               12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

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PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Forms 10-K, 11-K, 10-Q,
N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within
the prescribed time period. 

         The trustee of the Kirby 401(k) Plan, Texas Commerce Bank,
         was unable, on a timely basis, without reasonable effort or
         expense, to provide Kirby's independent public accountant's,
         KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, with Kirby Corporation common stock
         investment transactions information for the 1996 year and
         support for the 401(k) Plan employee loans as of December 31,
         1996.  Such information is necessary for the completion of
         the audit and to express and opinion on the financial
         statements of the Kirby 401(k) Plan.

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

(1)  Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
     notification

     G. STEPHEN HOLCOMB                       713               435-1135
     --------------------------------    -------------    ---------------------
               (Name)                     (Area Code)       (Telephone Number)

(2)  Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company 
     Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter) period 
     that the registrant was required to file such reports) been filed?  If 
     answer is no, identify report(s).
                                                       [X] Yes      [ ] No


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(3)  Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations
     from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected 
     by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or 
     portion thereof?

                                                       [ ] Yes      [X] No

     If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively
     and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a
     reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made. 

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                            KIRBY CORPORATION
           ---------------------------------------------------------
                 (NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)


has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.


Date:    JUNE 30, 1997                   By:  G. STEPHEN HOLCOMB
     ------------------------------         -----------------------------------
                                              VICE PRESIDENT & CONTROLLER

INSTRUCTION:  The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant
or by any other duly authorized representative.  The name and title of the
person signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature.  If
the statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized
representative (other than an executive officer), evidence of the
representative's authority to sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed
with the form.