Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 46,677	$ 73,602
Restricted cash	20,264	0
Marketable securities	169,635	178,485
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0	29,930	25,355
Deferred income taxes	15	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	5,133	5,870
Current assets of discontinued operations	31	31
Total current assets	271,685	283,343
Property and equipment, net	108,337	105,890
Goodwill	67,530	67,530
Intangible assets, net	38,017	44,438
Other investments	28,540	25,844
Investments in equity method investees ($26,871 at fair value in 2014)	32,728	8,339
Deferred income taxes	3,732	1,556
Other long-term assets	1,440	1,754
Total assets	552,009	538,694
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	4,460	4,754
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	10,942	7,763
Financial instrument obligations	20,264	0
Current portion of long-term debt	13,214	13,214
Current portion of capital lease obligations	412	412
3/4% convertible senior subordinated notes	0	346
Deferred income taxes	3,838	3,612
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	987	987
Total current liabilities	54,117	31,088
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	283	572
Long-term debt, net of current portion	69,375	79,286
Deferred income taxes	2,373	0
Other long-term liabilities	3,715	3,813
Total liabilities	129,863	114,759
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock ($0.001 par value, 40,000 shares authorized; 14,224 and 14,508 shares issued in 2014 and 2013, respectively; 11,410 and 12,005 shares outstanding in 2014 and 2013, respectively)	14	14
Additional paid-in capital	267,047	274,826
Accumulated other comprehensive income	10,680	6,516
Retained earnings	225,918	213,967
Treasury stock, at cost (2014 - 2,814 shares; 2013 - 2,503 shares)	(81,355)	(71,001)
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity	422,304	424,322
Non-controlling interest	(158)	(387)
Total stockholders' equity	422,146	423,935
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 552,009	$ 538,694