CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May. 31, 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 May 31, 2015	May 31, 2015		August 31, 2014
$400 million notes at 6.50% due July 2017	5.74%	$	406,317	$	408,546
$500 million notes at 7.35% due August 2018	6.40%	514,837		518,305
$330 million notes at 4.875% due May 2023	4.875%	330,000		330,000
Other, including equipment notes		37,968		32,196
		1,289,122		1,289,047
Less current maturities		9,753		8,005
		$	1,279,369	$	1,281,042

Interest on these notes is payable semiannually.