CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term debt, including the deferred gain from the termination of the interest rate swaps

Long-term debt, including the deferred gain from the termination of the interest rate swaps, was as follows:

(in thousands)	Weighted Average Interest Rate as of February 28, 2015	February 28, 2015		August 31, 2014
$400 million notes at 6.50% due July 2017	5.74%	$	407,059	$	408,546
$500 million notes at 7.35% due August 2018	6.40%	515,993		518,305
$330 million notes at 4.875% due May 2023	4.875%	330,000		330,000
Other, including equipment notes		37,371		32,196
		1,290,423		1,289,047
Less current maturities		9,113		8,005
		$	1,281,310	$	1,281,042

Interest on these notes is payable semiannually.