INCOME TAX (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred compensation and employee benefits	$ 51,956	$ 56,504
Net operating losses and credits	68,736	99,200
Reserves and other accrued expenses	45,246	34,375
Allowance for doubtful accounts	3,760	5,020
Intangibles	6,707	8,153
Other	8,766	12,879
Total deferred tax assets	185,171	216,131
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	(69,762)	(48,837)
Deferred tax assets, net	115,409	167,294
Deferred tax liabilities:
Fixed assets	99,016	113,547
Inventory	8,320	10,219
Other	4,066	5,354
Total deferred tax liabilities	111,402	129,120
Deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities	$ 4,007	$ 38,174