BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Reconciliations of Earnings from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Operating Profit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2020	Feb. 28, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Earnings from continuing operations	$ 63,596	$ 14,928	$ 146,351	$ 34,348
Interest expense	15,888	18,495	32,466	35,158
Income taxes	22,845	18,141	50,177	23,750
Depreciation and amortization	41,389	41,245	82,330	76,421
Amortization of acquired unfavorable contract backlog	(5,997)	(23,476)	(14,328)	(34,808)
Impairment of assets	0	0	530	0
Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations	$ 137,721	$ 69,333	$ 297,526	$ 134,869