Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 262,422	$ 222,390
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,480 and $16,095)	958,364	956,852
Inventories, net	807,923	908,338
Other	211,122	238,673
Total current assets	2,239,831	2,326,253
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	79,123	93,496
Buildings and improvements	483,708	507,797
Equipment	1,656,328	1,666,682
Construction in process	41,036	42,499
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	2,260,195	2,310,474
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,265,891)	(1,198,459)
Property, plant and equipment, Net	994,304	1,112,015
Goodwill	76,897	77,638
Other assets	130,214	167,225
Total assets	3,441,246	3,683,131
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	433,132	585,289
Accounts payable-documentary letters of credit	95,870	170,683
Accrued expenses and other payables	343,337	377,774
Notes payable	24,543	6,200
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,252	58,908
Total current liabilities	901,134	1,198,854
Deferred income taxes	20,271	49,572
Other long-term liabilities	116,261	106,560
Long-term debt	1,157,073	1,167,497
Total liabilities	2,194,739	2,522,483
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued 129,060,664 shares; outstanding 116,351,424 and 115,533,763 shares	1,290	1,290
Additional paid-in capital	365,778	371,616
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(18,136)	59,473
Retained earnings	1,145,445	993,578
Less treasury stock, 12,709,240 and 13,526,901 shares at cost	(248,009)	(265,532)
Stockholders' equity attributable to CMC	1,246,368	1,160,425
Stockholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interests	139	223
Total equity	1,246,507	1,160,648
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 3,441,246	$ 3,683,131