CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 334,764	$ 521,375
Short-term investments	45,270	44,491
Accounts receivable, less reserve of $5,726 at March 31, 2018 and $5,721 at September 30, 2017	545,348	477,074
Inventories	143,177	137,204
Prepaid expenses and other	62,424	55,120
Current assets of discontinued operations		3
Total current assets	1,130,983	1,235,267
NONCURRENT ASSETS:
Investments	73,356	84,026
Net property, plant and equipment, at cost	4,898,525	5,001,051
Goodwill	69,496	51,705
Intangible assets, net of amortization	77,001	50,785
Other assets	12,431	17,154
Total noncurrent assets	5,130,809	5,204,721
TOTAL ASSETS	6,261,792	6,439,988
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	123,012	135,628
Accrued liabilities	217,095	208,683
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	78	74
Total current liabilities	340,185	344,385
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	493,433	492,902
Deferred income taxes	816,669	1,332,689
Other	93,661	101,409
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations	14,691	4,012
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,418,454	1,931,012
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, $.10 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized, 112,008,961 shares and 111,956,875 shares issued as of March 31, 2018 and September 30, 2017 respectively and 108,876,808 shares and 108,604,047 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and September 30, 2017 respectively	11,201	11,196
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
Additional paid-in capital	487,135	487,248
Retained earnings	4,189,497	3,855,686
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,221)	2,300
Total shareholders' equity before treasury stock	4,682,612	4,356,430
Treasury stock, at cost	(179,459)	(191,839)
Total shareholders' equity	4,503,153	4,164,591
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 6,261,792	$ 6,439,988