OTHER ASSETS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

OTHER ASSETS

OTHER ASSETS

8. OTHER ASSETS

Other assets at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 consist of the following (in thousands):

	September 30,2011		December 31,2010
Deferred debt issuance costs	$	7,900	$	9,576
Other	13,544		4,842
Total	$	21,444	$	14,418

Deferred debt issuance costs arose from (i) the Company’s issuance, in March 2010, of $575.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Notes”); (ii) a $175.0 million revolving credit facility entered into in September 2007; and (iii) the Company’s issuance, in September 2006, of $172.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2013 Notes.  Deferred debt issuance costs are being amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of approximately five years, except for the 2013 Notes which were amortized over their term of seven years.  The period of amortization for the Company’s debt issue costs was determined at inception of the related debt agreements based upon the stated maturity date.  Unamortized debt issuance costs written off to interest expense in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 resulting from conversions of convertible debt amounted to $0.3 million and $1.3 million, respectively.  Unamortized debt issuance costs written off in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 for debt conversions were insignificant.