Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 228,103	$ 222,390
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,819 and $16,095)	787,968	956,852
Inventories	894,555	908,338
Other	351,781	238,673
Total current assets	2,262,407	2,326,253
Property, plant and equipment:
Land	82,417	93,496
Buildings and improvements	470,737	507,797
Equipment	1,598,643	1,666,682
Construction in process	47,635	42,499
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	2,199,432	2,310,474
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,193,941)	(1,198,459)
Property, plant and equipment, Net	1,005,491	1,112,015
Goodwill	76,764	77,638
Other assets	161,991	167,225
Total assets	3,506,653	3,683,131
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable-trade	457,130	585,289
Accounts payable-documentary letters of credit	183,763	170,683
Accrued expenses and other payables	374,078	377,774
Notes payable	48,624	6,200
Current maturities of long-term debt	3,697	58,908
Total current liabilities	1,067,292	1,198,854
Deferred income taxes	1,375	49,572
Other long-term liabilities	102,956	106,560
Long-term debt	1,152,869	1,167,497
Total liabilities	2,324,492	2,522,483
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued 129,060,664 shares; outstanding 115,538,848 and 115,533,763 shares	1,290	1,290
Additional paid-in capital	374,754	371,616
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(16,105)	59,473
Retained earnings	1,087,449	993,578
Less treasury stock 13,521,816 and 13,526,901 shares at cost	(265,408)	(265,532)
Stockholders' equity attributable to CMC	1,181,980	1,160,425
Stockholders' equity attributable to noncontrolling interests	181	223
Total equity	1,182,161	1,160,648
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 3,506,653	$ 3,683,131