UNITED STATES 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): OCTOBER 23, 2003


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

                     NEVADA                           74-1884980
        (State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer
         incorporation or organization)           Identification No.)

              55 WAUGH DRIVE, SUITE 1000                77007
                    HOUSTON, TEXAS                    (Zip Code)
      (Address of principal executive offices)

               REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:
                                 (713) 435-1000

Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits
          (c)  Exhibits:
               99.1  Press release dated October 23, 2003

Item 12.  Results of Operations and Financial Condition

     On  October  23,  2003,  Kirby Corporation ("Kirby") issued a press release
announcing  earnings  for  the  quarter ended September 30, 2003.  A copy of the
press  release  is  attached  as  Exhibit  99.1  to  this  report.

     EBITDA,  a non-GAAP financial measure, is used in the press release.  Kirby
defines  EBITDA  as  net  earnings  before  interest  expense,  taxes on income,
depreciation  and  amortization.  Kirby has historically evaluated its operating
performance  using  numerous  measures,  one  of which is EBITDA, a measure that
excludes  certain  non-operating  expenses  and  non-cash  charges.  EBITDA  is
presented  for  that  reason  and  because of its wide acceptance as a financial
indicator.  EBITDA  is  used  by  Kirby's  lenders  in loan covenants, by rating
agencies  in  determining  Kirby's  credit  rating  and  by  analysts publishing
research  reports  on  Kirby,  as  well  as  by investors and investment bankers
generally in valuing companies.  A quantitative reconciliation of EBITDA to GAAP
net  earnings  for  the  2003  and  2002 third quarters and first nine months is
included  in  the  press  release.



                                   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  thereunto  duly  authorized.

                                        KIRBY CORPORATION
                                        (Registrant)

                                        By:  /s/  NORMAN W. NOLEN
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Norman W. Nolen
                                             Executive Vice President, Treasurer
                                               and Chief Financial Officer

Dated:  October 23, 2003




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit 99.1   Press release dated October 23, 2003





                                      KIRBY



KIRBY CORPORATION                                       CONTACT:  STEVE HOLCOMB
                                                                  713-435-1135

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ---------------------


                           KIRBY CORPORATION ANNOUNCES
                           2003 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

  -  2003  THIRD  QUARTER EARNINGS PER SHARE WERE $.46 VERSUS $.49 EARNED IN THE
     2002  THIRD QUARTER (2002 THIRD QUARTER INCLUDED A $.06 PER SHARE FAVORABLE
     ADJUSTMENT  TO  ACCRUED  INSURANCE  LIABILITIES)

  -  2003  FOURTH  QUARTER  EARNINGS PER SHARE GUIDANCE IS $.44 TO $.48 VERSUS A
     LOSS  OF  $.09  FOR THE 2002 FOURTH QUARTER (2002 FOURTH QUARTER INCLUDED A
     $.52  PER  SHARE  IMPAIRMENT  CHARGE)

  -  2003  YEAR  EARNINGS  PER SHARE GUIDANCE TIGHTENED TO $1.66 TO $1.70 VERSUS
     $1.13  FOR  THE  2002  YEAR (2002 YEAR INCLUDED A $.51 PER SHARE IMPAIRMENT
     CHARGE)

HOUSTON, TEXAS (OCTOBER 23, 2003) - Kirby Corporation ("Kirby") (NYSE:KEX) today
announced  net  earnings  for  the  third  quarter  ended  September 30, 2003 of
$11,211,000,  or  $.46  per share, compared with $11,957,000, or $.49 per share,
for  the  third  quarter  of  2002.  The  2002  third quarter results included a
$2,200,000  ($1,364,000 after taxes), or $.06 per share, favorable adjustment to
accrued insurance liabilities.  Consolidated revenues for the 2003 third quarter
were $154,507,000 compared with $134,607,000 for the 2002 third quarter.  EBITDA
per share for the 2003 third quarter was $1.43 compared with $1.38 for the prior
year  third  quarter.

Kirby reported net earnings for the first nine months of 2003 of $29,868,000, or
$1.22  per  share,  compared with $29,521,000, or $1.21 per share, for the first
nine  months  of  2002.  Consolidated revenues for the first nine months of 2003
were  $461,446,000  compared  with  $395,522,000  for  the prior year first nine
months.  EBITDA  per  share for the first nine months of 2003 was $4.00 compared
with  $3.75  for  the  same  period  of  2002.

Revenue  from the marine transportation segment increased 19% for the 2003 third
quarter  compared  with  the 2002 third quarter, while operating income declined
6%.  Marine  transportation  revenue for the first nine months of 2003 increased
20%,  while  operating  income  increased  4%.  Marine  transportation operating
income  for  both  2002  periods  included  the  pre-tax  $2,200,000  favorable
adjustment  in  accrued insurance liabilities.  The 2003 third quarter and first
nine  months results reflected the October


                                   Page 1 of 7

2002  transaction with Coastal Towing, Inc. ("Coastal"), whereby Kirby purchased
10  double hull inland tank barges and 13 towboats and assumed the management of
Coastal's  remaining  54  active  black  oil  tank barges. In addition, the 2003
results  also  reflect  the  January 2003 purchase of the inland marine fleet of
SeaRiver  Maritime,  Inc. ("SeaRiver"), the U.S. marine transportation affiliate
of  Exxon  Mobil  Corporation. The SeaRiver fleet included 48 double hull inland
tank  barges  and  seven towboats, and the assumption of the leases on 16 double
hull  tank  barges.  Kirby also entered into a contract to provide inland marine
transportation  services  to  SeaRiver.

During  the 2003 third quarter, the marine transportation segment benefited from
improved  petrochemical  volumes  from  several of its significant customers and
continued  strong  volumes for petrochemicals used in the production of gasoline
blending  components.    Black  oil  products and river refined products volumes
remained  firm  in  the  third  quarter.    Liquid  fertilizer  volumes,  which
historically  are  seasonally slow in the third quarter, remained very weak when
compared  with  the prior year third quarter, as the U.S. production of nitrogen
based fertilizer continued to be curtailed due to high natural gas prices.

Revenues  for the diesel engine services segment for the 2003 third quarter were
down  5%  from  2002  third  quarter levels, while operating income for the same
comparable  quarters  was down 19%.  Continued weakness in the Midwest dry cargo
barge market and rail market, and the timing of engine overhauls in the East and
West  Coast  marine markets negatively affected the segment's third quarter 2003
results.  The  Gulf  Coast  market  improved,  benefiting  from  parts  sales to
international  offshore  oilfield  services  customers.

Equity  in earnings of marine affiliates, which primarily consist of a 35% owned
offshore  partnership operating four offshore dry-cargo barge and tug units, was
$1,022,000  for  the  2003  third quarter and $2,209,000 for the 2003 first nine
months,  significantly  higher  than the corresponding 2002 periods.  The higher
results  in  2003  reflect  close  to  full  utilization  of the four unit fleet
compared  with  2002  when  results  were negatively impacted by weather delays,
maintenance  days  and  dock  facility  closures.

Joe  Pyne,  Kirby's  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer,  commented, "Our
operating  margins  in both our marine transportation and diesel engine services
segments  weakened  during  the third quarter.  The marine transportation margin
was  15.5% in the 2003 third quarter compared with a reported 2002 third quarter
margin  of  19.5%,  or  17.6% when adjusted for the pre-tax $2,200,000 favorable
adjustment  to  accrued  insurance liabilities.  The acquisitions of the Coastal
and SeaRiver inland tank barge assets have helped add to revenues and profits in
2003;  however, our margins have declined, as we have not been able to raise our
transportation rates sufficiently to offset our increases in costs and expenses.
Our  core petrochemical market has been under pressure since the summer of 2000.
On  the  diesel  engine  services  side of our business, the decline in the 2003
third  quarter  operating  margin  was  primarily  due  to  lower  revenues."

Mr.  Pyne  further commented, "We are encouraged by the recent comments from our
petrochemical  customers  forecasting  higher  production levels, which are more
optimistic  concerning  improving conditions in the U.S. petrochemical industry.
We  are  not  forecasting  much  strengthening  of petrochemicals volumes in our
fourth  quarter


                                   Page 2 of 7

guidance.  We  anticipate  black  oil volumes to remain strong, refined products
volumes  to  return  to  normal  fourth quarter seasonal levels and for a normal
liquid  fertilizer  fall  season."

Further  commenting  on  the  fourth  quarter as well as the 2003 year, Mr. Pyne
said, "Based on the recent comments from our marine transportation petrochemical
customers,  current  market  conditions  and  the  more  recent  positive  tones
regarding  the U.S. economy, our earnings per share guidance for the 2003 fourth
quarter  is  $.44 to $.48. This guidance compares with a $.09 per share net loss
in  the  2002 fourth quarter, which included a $.52 per share impairment charge.
For  the  2003  year,  our  earnings per share guidance is $1.66 to $1.70.  This
guidance  compares  with  2002  net earnings per share of $1.13 per share, which
included  an  impairment  charge  of  $.51  per  share."

This  earnings  press  release  includes  condensed  consolidated  statements of
earnings,  separate  marine transportation and diesel engine services statements
of earnings, and marine transportation performance measurements for the 2003 and
2002 third quarters and first nine months.  The performance measurements include
ton miles, revenues per ton mile, towboats operated and delay days.  Definitions
of the performance measurements are included after the measurement table on page
7  of  this  press  release.  Comparable  marine  transportation  performance
measurements  by  quarter for the 2002 year and the first three quarters of 2003
are  available at Kirby's web site under the caption Performance Measurements in
the  Investor  Relations  section.  Kirby's homepage can be accessed by visiting
www.kirbycorp.com.
- -----------------

Kirby  has scheduled a conference call at 10:00 a.m. central time today, October
23,  2003,  to  discuss  the  2003  third quarter and first nine months, and the
outlook  for  the  2003  fourth quarter and year.  The conference call number is
888-455-9641  for  domestic  callers and 773-756-4700 for international callers.
The passcode is Kirby and the leader's name is Steve Holcomb.  An audio playback
will  be  available starting at approximately 12:00 noon central time on October
23  through  5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 21, 2003, by dialing 800-297-0768 for
domestic  callers  and  402-220-3822  for international callers.  The conference
call  can  also  be  accessed  by  visiting  Kirby's  homepage  at
http://www.kirbycorp.com/  or  at  http://www.vcall.com/.  A  replay  will  be
- -------------------------          ---------------------
available on each of those Web Sites following the conference call.

The  financial  and  other information to be discussed in the conference call is
available  in this press release and in a Form 8-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission.  This  press  release  and the Form 8-K include a non-GAAP
financial  measure,  EBITDA, which Kirby defines as net earnings before interest
expense,  taxes  on  income, depreciation and amortization.  A reconciliation of
EBITDA  for the 2003 and 2002 third quarters and first nine months with GAAP net
earnings  for  the  same  periods  is  included  in  the  Condensed Consolidated
Financial  Information  in  this  press  release.

Kirby  Corporation,  based  in  Houston,  Texas, operates inland tank barges and
towing  vessels,  transporting  petrochemicals,  black  oil  products,  refined
petroleum  products  and  agricultural  chemicals  throughout  the United States
inland  waterway  system.  Through  the  diesel  engine  services segment, Kirby
provides  after-market  service  for  large  medium-speed diesel engines used in
marine,  power  generation  and  industrial,  and  railroad  applications.


                                   Page 3 of 7

Statements  contained  in  this  press  release  with  respect to the future are
forward-looking  statements.  These  statements  reflect management's reasonable
judgment  with  respect  to  future  events.  Forward-looking statements involve
risks  and  uncertainties.  Actual  results  could  differ materially from those
anticipated  as  a  result  of  various  factors,  including  cyclical  or other
downturns in demand, significant pricing competition, unanticipated additions to
industry  capacity,  changes  in  the  Jones  Act or in U.S. maritime policy and
practice,  fuel costs, interest rates, weather conditions, and timing, magnitude
and  the  number  of  acquisitions  made by Kirby.  A listing of additional risk
factors  can  be  found in Kirby's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December  31,  2002,  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission.

                           CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

DATE:        OCTOBER 23, 2003
TIME:        10:00 A.M. CENTRAL TIME
U.S.:        888-455-9641
INT'L:       773-756-4700
LEADER:      STEVE HOLCOMB
PASSCODE:    KIRBY
WEBCAST:     HTTP://WWW.KIRBYCORP.COM/ OR HTTP://WWW.VCALL.COM/
             -------------------------    ---------------------



                                   Page 4 of 7

A summary of the results for the third quarter and first nine months follows: CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS --------------------------------------------- Third Quarter Nine Months ---------------------------- ---------------------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- (unaudited, $ in thousands except per share amounts) Revenues: Marine transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 134,396 $ 113,343 $ 396,617 $ 329,679 Diesel engine services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,111 21,264 64,829 65,843 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- 154,507 134,607 461,446 395,522 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Costs and expenses: Costs of sales and operating expenses . . . . . . 98,800 81,652 300,804 247,868 Selling, general and administrative . . . . . . . 18,069 16,748 54,381 49,436 Taxes, other than on income . . . . . . . . . . . 3,385 2,627 9,921 7,185 Depreciation and other amortization . . . . . . . 13,369 10,826 38,495 33,845 Loss (gain) on disposition of assets. . . . . . . (71) (425) 62 (593) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- 133,552 111,428 403,663 337,741 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Operating income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,955 23,179 57,783 57,781 Equity in earnings (loss) of marine affiliates. . 1,022 (68) 2,209 872 Other expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (134) (447) (736) (788) Interest expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3,761) (3,378) (11,082) (10,251) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Earnings before taxes on income . . . . . . . . 18,082 19,286 48,174 47,614 Provision for taxes on income . . . . . . . . . . (6,871) (7,329) (18,306) (18,093) ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 11,211 $ 11,957 $ 29,868 $ 29,521 ============= ============= ============= ============= Net earnings per share of common stock: Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .46 $ .50 $ 1.24 $ 1.23 Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ .46 $ .49 $ 1.22 $ 1.21 Common stock outstanding (in thousands): Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,166 24,016 24,112 24,080 Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,545 24,217 24,429 24,438
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION -------------------------------------------- Third Quarter Nine Months ------------------------------- ----------------------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 --------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- (unaudited, $ in thousands except per share amounts) EBITDA: (1) Net earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 11,211 $ 11,957 $ 29,868 $ 29,521 Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,761 3,378 11,082 10,251 Provision for taxes on income. . . . . . . . . . . 6,871 7,329 18,306 18,093 Depreciation and other amortization. . . . . . . . 13,369 10,826 38,495 33,845 --------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- $ 35,212 $ 33,490 $ 97,751 $ 91,710 =============== ============== ============== ============= EBITDA per share - diluted (1) . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1.43 $ 1.38 $ 4.00 $ 3.75 Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 14,464 $ 10,964 $ 52,187 $ 39,198 Acquisition of businesses and marine equipment . . . $ - $ 1,800 $ 37,816 $ 4,600 September 30, December 31, 2003 2002 -------------- ------------- (unaudited, $ in thousands) Long-term debt, including current portion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 270,049 $ 266,001 Stockholders' equity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 356,590 $ 323,311 Debt to capitalization ratio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43.1% 45.1%
Page 5 of 7
MARINE TRANSPORTATION STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS -------------------------------------------- Third Quarter Nine Months ---------------------- ---------------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- (unaudited, $ in thousands) Marine transportation revenues. . . . . $ 134,396 $ 113,343 $ 396,617 $ 329,679 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Costs and expenses: Costs of sales and operating expenses 83,492 65,530 251,713 198,179 Selling, general and administrative . 14,216 13,155 42,836 38,931 Taxes, other than on income . . . . . 3,206 2,517 9,450 6,820 Depreciation and other amortization . 12,654 9,983 36,304 31,447 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- 113,568 91,185 340,303 275,377 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Operating income. . . . . . . . . . $ 20,828 $ 22,158 $ 56,314 $ 54,302 ========== ========== ========== ========== Operating margins . . . . . . . . . 15.5% 19.5% 14.2% 16.5% ========== ========== ========== ==========
DIESEL ENGINE SERVICES STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS --------------------------------------------- Third Quarter Nine Months -------------------- -------------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 --------- --------- --------- --------- (unaudited, $ in thousands) Diesel engine services revenues . . . . $ 20,111 $ 21,264 $ 64,829 $ 65,843 --------- --------- --------- --------- Costs and expenses: Costs of sales and operating expenses 15,246 16,066 48,951 49,498 Selling, general and administrative . 2,859 2,826 8,607 8,424 Taxes, other than income. . . . . . . 81 65 241 214 Depreciation and other amortization . 272 265 788 685 --------- --------- --------- --------- 18,458 19,222 58,587 58,821 --------- --------- --------- --------- Operating income. . . . . . . . . . $ 1,653 $ 2,042 $ 6,242 $ 7,022 ========= ========= ========= ========= Operating margins . . . . . . . . . 8.2% 9.6% 9.6% 10.7% ========= ========= ========= =========
OTHER COSTS AND EXPENSES ------------------------ Third Quarter Nine Months ------------------ ----------------- 2003 2002 2003 2002 -------- -------- ------- -------- (unaudited, $in thousands) General corporate expenses. . . . . . $ 1,597 $ 1,446 $ 4,711 $ 4,136 ======== ======== ======= ======== Loss (gain) on disposition of assets. $ (71) $ (425) $ 62 $ (593) ======== ======== ======= ========
Page 6 of 7
MARINE TRANSPORTATION PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS ---------------------------------------------- Third Quarter Nine Months ------------------ ------------------ 2003 2002 2003 2002 -------- -------- -------- -------- Ton Miles (in millions) (2). . . . . . . 4,021 3,473 11,467 9,652 Revenue/Ton Mile (cents/tm) (3) . . . . . 3.3 3.3 3.5 3.4 Towboats operated (average) (4) . . . . . 222 196 226 200 Delay Days (5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,001 1,072 4,852 4,386 Average cost per gallon of fuel consumed. $ .86 $ .73 $ .89 $ .68 Tank barges: Active. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 882 809 Inactive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 67
- -------------------- (1) Kirby has historically evaluated its operating performance using numerous measures, one of which is EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. Kirby defines EBITDA as net earnings before interest expense, taxes on income, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is presented because of its wide acceptance as a financial indicator. EBITDA is used by Kirby's lenders in loan covenants, by rating agencies in determining Kirby's credit rating and by analysts publishing research reports on Kirby, as well as by investors and investment bankers generally in valuing companies. EBITDA is not a calculation based on generally accepted accounting principles and should not be considered as an alternative to, but should only be considered in conjunction with, Kirby's GAAP financial information. (2) Ton miles indicate fleet productivity by measuring the distance (in miles) a loaded tank barge is moved. Example: A typical 30,000 barrel tank barge loaded with 3,300 tons of liquid cargo is moved 100 miles, thus generating 330,000 ton miles. (3) Marine transportation revenues divided by ton miles. Example: Third quarter 2003 revenues of $134,396,000 divided by 4,021,000,000 ton miles = 3.3 cents. (4) Towboats operated are the average number of owned and chartered towboats operated during the period. (5) Delay days measures the lost time incurred by a tow (towboat and tank barges) during transit. The measure includes transit delays caused by weather, lock congestion and other navigational factors. Page 7 of 7