CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2016

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, 2016	May 31, 2016		August 31, 2015
2023 Notes	4.875%	$	330,000	$	330,000
2018 Notes	6.40%	410,030		513,680
2017 Notes	5.74%	303,344		405,573
Other, including equipment notes		35,248		38,739
		1,078,622		1,287,992
Less current maturities		10,929		10,110
		$	1,067,693	$	1,277,882