Exhibit 23.2

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to incorporate by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8
of Kirby Corporation and consolidated  subsidiaries of our report dated February
18, 1997,  relating to the consolidated  balance sheets of Kirby Corporation and
consolidated  subsidiaries  as of December 31, 1996,  and 1995,  and the related
consolidated  statements  of earnings,  stockholders'  equity and cash flows for
each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, which report
appears in the December 31, 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kirby Corporation
and consolidated subsidiaries.

                                                     /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                                     -------------------------


Houston, Texas
August 14, 1997

CORPDAL:69678.  99999-00001