A　stabilized　finite　volume　method　for　solving　the　transient　Navier-Stokes　equations　is　developed　and　studied　in　this　paper.　This　method　maintains　conservation　property　associated　with　the　Navier-Stokes　equations.　An　error　analysis　based　on　the　variational　formulation　of　the　corresponding　finite　volume　method　is　first　introduced　to　obtain　optimal　error　estimates　for　velocity　and　pressure.　This　error　analysis　shows　that　the　present　stabilized　finite　volume　method　provides　an　approximate　solution　with　the　same　convergence　rate　as　that　provided　by　the　stabilized　linear　finite　element　method　for　the　Navier-Stokes　equations　under　the　same　regularity　assumption　on　the　exact　solution　and　a　slightly　additional　regularity　on　the　source　term.　The　stability　and　convergence　results　of　the　proposed　method　are　also　demonstrated　by　the　numerical　experiments　presented.