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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
     We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(No. 33-62116) on Form S-3 and (No. 33-68140), (No. 2-67954), (No. 2-84789) on
Form S-8 of Kirby Corporation and consolidated subsidiaries of our report dated
February 21, 1994, relating to the consolidated balance sheet of Kirby
Corporation and consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 1993, and the
related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders' equity, cash flows
and related schedules for the year then ended, which report appears in the
December 31, 1993 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kirby Corporation and
consolidated subsidiaries.
 
                                            KPMG PEAT MARWICK
 
Houston, Texas
March 14, 1994