Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 447,868	$ 96,095
Accounts receivable, less reserve of $4,795 in 2013 and $942 in 2012	621,420	620,489
Inventories	88,866	78,777
Deferred income taxes	16,414	17,555
Prepaid expenses and other	79,938	74,693
Current assets of discontinued operations	3,705	7,619
Total current assets	1,258,211	895,228
INVESTMENTS	316,154	451,144
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost:
Contract drilling equipment	6,493,606	5,743,354
Construction in progress	153,252	215,754
Real estate properties	63,542	62,177
Other	310,515	284,813
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, gross	7,020,915	6,306,098
Less-Accumulated depreciation	2,344,812	1,954,527
Net property, plant and equipment	4,676,103	4,351,571
NONCURRENT ASSETS:
Other assets	14,359	23,142
TOTAL ASSETS	6,264,827	5,721,085
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	144,379	159,420
Accrued liabilities	189,684	176,615
Long-term debt due within one year	115,000	40,000
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	3,210	5,129
Total current liabilities	452,273	381,164
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt	80,000	195,000
Deferred income taxes	1,222,981	1,209,040
Other	65,351	98,393
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations	495	2,490
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,368,827	1,504,923
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, $.10 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized, 108,738,577 and 107,598,889 shares issued as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 106,716,970 and 105,697,693 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively	10,874	10,760
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
Additional paid-in capital	288,758	236,240
Retained earnings	4,102,663	3,505,295
Accumulated other comprehensive income	132,530	166,807
Total shareholders' equity before treasury stock	4,534,825	3,919,102
Less treasury stock, 2,021,607 shares in 2013 and 1,901,196 shares in 2012, at cost	91,098	84,104
Total shareholders' equity	4,443,727	3,834,998
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 6,264,827	$ 5,721,085