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): APRIL 28, 2004


                                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 April 28, 2004

Item 12.  Results  of  Operations  and  Financial  Condition

     On  April  28,  2004,  Kirby  Corporation  ("Kirby") issued a press release
announcing  earnings  for the first quarter ended March 31, 2004.  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.  EBITDA  is
presented  because  of  its wide acceptance as a financial indicator.  EBITDA is
one of the performance measures used in Kirby's incentive bonus plan.  EBITDA is
also  used  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 2004 and 2003 first
quarters  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:  April 29, 2004



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit 99.1   Press release dated April 28, 2004





                                [GRAPHIC OMITED]


KIRBY  CORPORATION                                       Contact:  Steve Holcomb
                                                                   713-435-1135


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


                           KIRBY CORPORATION ANNOUNCES
                           2004 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS


- -    2004  FIRST  QUARTER  EARNINGS PER SHARE WERE $.36, AN INCREASE OF 29% OVER
     $.28  REPORTED  FOR  THE  2003  FIRST  QUARTER

- -    RESULTS REFLECT CONTINUED STRENGTHENING OF PETROCHEMICAL VOLUMES AND STRONG
     BLACK  OIL  PRODUCT  VOLUMES

- -    2004 SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS PER SHARE GUIDANCE IS $.50 TO $.54 VERSUS $.48
     REPORTED  FOR  THE  2003  SECOND  QUARTER

HOUSTON,  TEXAS  (APRIL 28, 2004) - Kirby Corporation ("Kirby") (NYSE:KEX) today
announced net earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2004 of $9,020,000,
or  $.36 per share, compared with net earnings of $6,868,000, or $.28 per share,
for  the 2003 first quarter.  The 2004 first quarter results were at the top end
of  Kirby's  published  earnings  guidance  range  of  $.30  to  $.36 per share.
Consolidated revenues for the 2004 first quarter were $157,315,000 compared with
$148,200,000  for  the  2003  first  quarter.

Revenues for the marine transportation segment increased 8% and operating income
increased  23%  for  the  2004  first quarter compared with the first quarter of
2003.  The  higher  results  reflected  continued strengthening of petrochemical
volumes  and  stronger  black  oil  volumes, as well as fuel, labor and consumer
price  index escalators on numerous contracts.  The increases also reflected the
full  2004  first  quarter impact of the January 15, 2003 purchase of the inland
tank  barge  fleet  of  SeaRiver  Maritime, Inc., the U.S. marine transportation
affiliate  of  Exxon  Mobil  Corporation.

During the 2004 first quarter, the marine transportation segment's petrochemical
volumes  continued  to  strengthen,  a reflection of an improving U. S. economy.
Black  oil  products  volumes  were  strong,  the result of refinery maintenance
schedules,  and  refined products volumes were greater than anticipated.  Liquid
fertilizer  volumes  were  weaker than anticipated due to high Midwest inventory
levels.

The  diesel  engine  services  segment  reported 6% lower revenues, but slightly
higher  operating  income  for  the  2004  first  quarter  compared  with  the
corresponding  2003  quarter.    During  the  2004  first  quarter,  the Midwest
operations  benefited  from  a strong


                                        1

Great  Lakes market, along with a continued improvement in the Midwest dry cargo
market.  The  segment's Gulf Coast, East Coast and power generation markets were
weak.

On  April  7,  2004,  the Company purchased the Paducah, Kentucky diesel service
operation  and  parts inventory of Walker Paducah Corp. ("Walker"), a subsidiary
of  Ingram  Barge  Company,  for  approximately  $5,800,000 in cash.  The annual
revenues  attributable  to  the  Walker  asset  purchase  are  estimated  in the
$7,000,000  to  $8,000,000  range  and  the  operating margin is estimated to be
consistent  with  the  diesel  engine  services  historical  margin.

On  April  15,  2004, the Company purchased a one-third interest in Osprey Line,
LLC ("Osprey") for $4,220,000.  Osprey, founded in 2000, operates a barge feeder
service  for  cargo  containers between Houston, New Orleans and Baton Rouge, as
well  as ports located above Baton Rouge on the Mississippi River.  Revenues for
Osprey  for 2003 were approximately $11,700,000.  The purchase will be accounted
for  under  the  equity  method  of  accounting.

Joe Pyne, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kirby, commented, "During the
2004  first  quarter,  several of our core transportation markets improved.  The
first quarter is always difficult because of poor operating conditions caused by
weather.  Our  2004 first quarter was no exception.  Navigational delays totaled
2,359  days,  only 9% less than the record 2,583 days recorded in the 2003 first
quarter."

Commenting  on  the 2004 second quarter market conditions and guidance, Mr. Pyne
said,  "We  expect  our  transportation markets to generally continue to improve
this  quarter.  The  economy  appears  to  be in better shape and the demand for
petrochemical and refined products volumes is stronger.  We anticipate the black
oil  market  to  remain  firm,  but liquid fertilizer volumes are anticipated to
remain  seasonally  weak.  For  the  2004 second quarter, our earnings per share
guidance  is  $.50  to  $.54,  compared  with  $.48 reported for the 2003 second
quarter.  For  the  2004 year, our guidance remains at $1.85 to $1.95 per share.
This  guidance  compares  with  2003  net  earnings of $1.67 per share.  Capital
spending  guidance  for  2004  remains  in the $85 to $90 million range and will
include  approximately  $41 million for the construction of 16 new 30,000 barrel
petrochemical  tank  barges  and  10  new  30,000 barrel black oil tank barges."

This  earnings press release includes marine transportation performance measures
for both the 2004 and 2003 first quarters.  The performance measures include ton
miles,  revenues  per  ton  mile,  towboats operated and delay days.  Comparable
performance  measures  for the 2003 and 2002 years and quarters 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.
- -----------------

A  conference  call  is scheduled at 10:00 a.m. central time tomorrow, Thursday,
April 29, 2004, to discuss the 2004 first quarter and outlook for the 2004 year.
The conference call number is 877-546-1574 for domestic callers and 712-257-0019
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  Thursday,  April  29  through 6:00 p.m. central time on
Friday,  May  28,  2004,  by  dialing  888-562-6189  for  domestic  callers  and
402-280-9984  for  international  callers.  The  conference  call  can  also


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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 2004 and 2003 first quarters 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.

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 the timing,
magnitude  and  number of acquisitions made by Kirby.  A list of additional risk
factors  can  be  found in Kirby's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December  31,  2003,  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission.

CONFERENCE  CALL  INFORMATION
- -----------------------------
Date:     Thursday, April 29, 2004
Time:     10:00 a.m. central time
U.S.:     877-546-1574
Int'l:    712-257-0019
Leader:   Steve Holcomb
Passcode: Kirby

                                - Tables follow -


                                        3

A summary of the results for the first quarter follows. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS --------------------------------------------- First Quarter -------------------------------- 2004 2003 --------------- --------------- (unaudited, $ in thousands except per share amounts) Revenues: Marine transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 135,493 $ 125,065 Diesel engine services. . . . . . . . . . . . 21,822 23,135 --------------- --------------- 157,315 148,200 --------------- --------------- Costs and expenses: Costs of sales and operating expenses . . . . 102,927 100,851 Selling, general and administrative . . . . . 19,965 17,561 Taxes, other than on income . . . . . . . . . 3,252 3,051 Depreciation and other amortization . . . . . 13,797 12,232 Loss on disposition of assets . . . . . . . . 2 7 --------------- --------------- 139,943 133,702 Operating income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,372 14,498 Equity in earnings of marine affiliates . . . 822 436 Other expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (271) (403) Interest expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3,374) (3,454) --------------- --------------- Earnings before taxes on income . . . . . . 14,549 11,077 Provision for taxes on income . . . . . . . . (5,529) (4,209) --------------- --------------- Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,020 $ 6,868 =============== =============== Net earnings per share of common stock: Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 0.37 $ 0.29 Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 0.36 $ 0.28 Common stock outstanding (in thousands): Basic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,345 24,062 Diluted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,913 24,327 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS --------------------------------------------- First Quarter -------------------------------- 2004 2003 --------------- --------------- (unaudited, $ in thousands except per share amounts) EBITDA: (1) Net earnings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,020 $ 6,868 Interest expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,374 3,454 Provision for taxes on income . . . . . . . . 5,529 4,209 Depreciation and other amortization . . . . . 13,797 12,232 --------------- --------------- $ 31,720 $ 26,763 =============== =============== EBITDA per share - diluted (1). . . . . . . . . $ 1.27 $ 1.10 Capital expenditures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 24,047 $ 18,752 Acquisition of businesses and marine equipment. $ 1,110 $ 36,316 March 31, -------------------------------- 2004 2003 --------------- --------------- (unaudited, $ in thousands) Long-term debt, including current portion . . . $ 250,409 $ 295,517 Stockholders' equity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 381,674 $ 330,582 Debt to capitalization ratio. . . . . . . . . . 39.6% 47.2%
4
MARINE TRANSPORTATION STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS -------------------------------------------- First Quarter -------------------------------- 2004 2003 --------------- --------------- (unaudited, $ in thousands) Marine transportation revenues . . . . . . . . $ 135,493 $ 125,065 --------------- --------------- Costs and expenses: Costs of sales and operating expenses. . . . 86,966 83,171 Selling, general and administrative. . . . . 15,504 13,783 Taxes, other than on income. . . . . . . . . 3,133 2,902 Depreciation and other amortization. . . . . 13,016 11,505 --------------- --------------- 118,619 111,361 --------------- --------------- Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 16,874 $ 13,704 =============== =============== Operating margins. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.5 % 11.0 % =============== =============== DIESEL ENGINE SERVICES STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS --------------------------------------------- First Quarter -------------------------------- 2004 2003 --------------- --------------- (unaudited, $ in thousands) Diesel engine services revenues. . . . . . . . $ 21,822 $ 23,135 --------------- --------------- Costs and expenses: Costs of sales and operating expenses. . . . 15,934 17,629 Selling, general and administrative. . . . . 3,034 2,754 Taxes, other than on income. . . . . . . . . 82 83 Depreciation and other amortization. . . . . 333 252 --------------- --------------- 19,383 20,718 --------------- --------------- Operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,439 $ 2,417 =============== =============== Operating margins. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.2 % 10.4 % =============== =============== OTHER COSTS AND EXPENSES ------------------------ First Quarter -------------------------------- 2004 2003 --------------- --------------- (unaudited, $in thousands) General corporate expenses . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,939 $ 1,616 =============== =============== Loss on disposition of assets. . . . . . . . . $ 2 $ 7 =============== ===============
5
MARINE TRANSPORTATION PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS ---------------------------------------------- First Quarter -------------- 2004 2003 ------ ------ Ton Miles (in millions) (2) . . . . . . . 3,735 3,455 Revenue/Ton Mile (cents/tm) (3) . . . . . 3.6 3.6 Towboats operated (average) (4) . . . . . 233 229 Delay Days (5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,359 2,583 Average cost per gallon of fuel consumed. $ .99 $ 1.03 Tank barges: Active. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 874 905 Inactive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 62 Barrel Capacities (in millions): Active. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.0 16.5 Inactive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 1.1 (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 one of the performance measures used in Kirby's incentive bonus plan. EBITDA is also used 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: First quarter 2004 revenues of $135,493,000 divided by 3,735,000,000 ton miles = 3.6 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.
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