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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 M5pUbCpp7tE6b/78ldlhLpojxGp9Z0PQtkDeryvPZNUnFJq9x240oTWgYboAmlxi
 ZcFAWVKUtSTEkh9b/3i09w==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001140361-06-006346.txt : 20060427
<SEC-HEADER>0001140361-06-006346.hdr.sgml : 20060427
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060427152826
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001140361-06-006346
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060425
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060427
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060427

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LEMMON DAVID L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001232502

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07615
		FILM NUMBER:		06784968

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1185 SANCTUARY PARKWAY
		CITY:			ALPHARETTA
		STATE:			GA
		ZIP:			30004

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>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc1.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-04-25</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000056047</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>KIRBY CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>KEX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001232502</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LEMMON DAVID L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1101 VENTURA HILLS STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LAS VEGAS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NV</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>89144</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>G. Stephen Holcomb, Agent and Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-04-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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