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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 RTqGFAlQVwGPFxV1Wx6ZxQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-03-001789.txt : 20030530
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-03-001789.hdr.sgml : 20030530
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030530165328
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-03-001789
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030529
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030530

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LAMONT WILLIAM M JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001206207

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07615
		FILM NUMBER:		03726474

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1999 BRYAN, SUITE 3525
		CITY:			DALLAS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			75201

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KIRBY CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000056047
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WATER TRANSPORTATION [4400]
		IRS NUMBER:				741884980
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NV
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		55 WAUGH DRIVE SUITE 1000
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77385
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7134351000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 1745
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77251

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	KIRBY EXPLORATION CO INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19900510
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-05-29</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000056047</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>KIRBY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>KEX</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
<reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001206207</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LAMONT WILLIAM M JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeSecurity>
<securityTitle>
<value>Common Stock, par value $.10 per share</value>
</securityTitle>
<transactionDate>
<value>2003-05-29</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding>
<transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionTimeliness>
<value></value>
</transactionTimeliness>
<transactionAmounts>
<transactionShares>
<value>6000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionValue>
<value>26.03</value>
</transactionValue>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
<value>D</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<postTransactionAmounts>
<sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
<value>426985</value>
<footnoteId id="F1"/>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature>
<directOrIndirectOwnership>
<value>I</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
<natureOfOwnership>
<value>Wife</value>
<footnoteId id="F2"/>
</natureOfOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</nonDerivativeSecurity>
<footnotes>
<footnote id="F1">Mr. Lamont also owns 5,142 shares directly and 497,171 shares indirectly through trusts of which his wife, Mary Noel Lamont, is the beneficiary.  Mr. Lamont disclaims beneficial ownership of the 497,171 shares.  Mr. Lamont also owns 21,000 shares directly in Director Stock Options (Right to Buy).</footnote>
<footnote id="F2">The 426,985 shares are owned beneficially and of record by Mr. Lamont's wife, Mary Noel Lamont.  Mr. Lamont disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature>
<signatureName>G. Stephen Holcomb, Agent and Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-05-30</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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