INCOME TAX (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred compensation and employee benefits	$ 45,496	$ 48,309
Net operating losses and credits	154,606	78,838
Reserves and other accrued expenses	18,831	21,381
Allowance for doubtful accounts	2,438	3,334
Intangibles	6,214	8,084
Other	768	9,562
Total deferred tax assets	228,353	169,508
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	(153,011)	(79,965)
Deferred tax assets, net	75,342	89,543
Deferred tax liabilities:
Fixed assets	96,100	102,143
Inventory	30,822	40,859
Other	2,799	3,981
Total deferred tax liabilities	(54,379)	(57,440)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$ 129,721	$ 146,983