CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Long-term Debt, Including the Deferred Gain from the Termination of the Interest Rate Swaps) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt including current maturities	$ 1,078,622	$ 1,287,992
Current maturities of long-term debt	10,929	10,110
Long-term debt	$ 1,067,693	1,277,882
$330 million notes at 4.875% due May 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	4.875%
Total long-term debt including current maturities	$ 330,000	330,000
$500 million notes at 6.40% due August 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	6.40%
Total long-term debt including current maturities	$ 410,030	513,680
$400 million notes at 5.74% due July 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	5.74%
Total long-term debt including current maturities	$ 303,344	405,573
Other, including equipment notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt including current maturities	$ 35,248	$ 38,739