1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements No.
2-67954, No. 2-84789 and No. 33-68140 of Kirby Corporation on Form S-8 of our
reports dated March 2, 1992, except for Note 2 as to which the date is March 18,
1992, (Kirby Corporation and subsidiaries) and February 28, 1994 (Universal
Insurance Company and subsidiaries) appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K
of Kirby Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1993.
 
                                            DELOITTE & TOUCHE
 
Houston, Texas
March 14, 1994