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 14, 2005


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


           NEVADA                           1-7615               74-1884980
(State or other jurisdiction of    (Commission File Number)   (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


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[ ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR 230.425)

[ ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition On April 14, 2005, Kirby Corporation issued a press release revising its earnings guidance for the three months ended March 31, 2005. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits: 99.1 Press release dated April 14, 2005 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 15, 2005

EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated April 14, 2005

                                [GRAPHIC OMITTED]

KIRBY CORPORATION
                                                         CONTACT:  STEVE HOLCOMB
                                                                   713-435-1135
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ---------------------


                KIRBY CORPORATION 2005 FIRST QUARTER NET EARNINGS
                             TO EXCEED $.50 PER SHARE

     -    2005  FIRST  QUARTER  EARNINGS  TO  TOP $.50 PER SHARE, ABOVE PREVIOUS
          GUIDANCE  OF  $.42  TO  $.48  PER  SHARE,  AND  COMPARES WITH $.36 PER
          SHARE FOR THE 2004 FIRST QUARTER

     -    RESULTS  POSITIVELY  IMPACTED  BY  STRONG  BUSINESS LEVELS IN BOTH THE
          MARINE  TRANSPORTATION  AND  DIESEL ENGINE SERVICES MARKETS, FAVORABLE
          OPERATING CONDITIONS IN MARCH AND CONTRACT RATE INCREASES

     -    KIRBY  TO  ANNOUNCE 2005 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27,
          2005, WITH CONFERENCE CALL ON THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2005

HOUSTON,  TEXAS  (APRIL  14, 2005) - Kirby Corporation ("Kirby") announced today
that  it  expects  its 2005 first quarter net earnings to exceed $.50 per share,
above  earnings guidance of $.42 to $.48 per share, and substantially above 2004
first  quarter  earnings  of $.36 per share.  Kirby will address the 2005 second
quarter  and  year guidance when it announces its first quarter results on April
27,  followed  by  its  conference  call  on  April  28,  2005.

Joe  Pyne,  Kirby's  President  and  Chief Executive Officer, commented, "During
January  and  February  2005,  Kirby's  strong  petrochemical  and  black  oil
transportation markets were negatively impacted by poor navigational conditions,
resulting  in  longer  transit times and delays, and creating pent-up demand for
movements.  During  March,  navigational  conditions  improved  significantly,
allowing  for better asset utilization, principally faster barge turnarounds and
more  efficient use of horsepower, in meeting delayed and current transportation
requirements.  Historically,  first quarter navigational conditions do not begin
to  improve until late March or early April. Contract rate increases in the 2004
fourth  quarter  and  2005  first  quarter,  coupled  with  the  January 1, 2005
escalators  for  labor  and the producer price index on contracts over a year in
duration,  also positively impacted the first quarter. The diesel engine service
segment  was  favorably affected by improved service work across the majority of
its  markets  during  the 2005 first quarter. We will be able to discuss in more
detail  the  2005  first  quarter results and outlook for the second quarter and
full year when we announce our results on April 27th, followed by our conference
call on April 28th."


                                        1

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 and high-speed diesel engines and reduction gears used in marine, power generation 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 timing, magnitude and the 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, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 2