Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 64,076	$ 51,910
Restricted cash	21,308	21,311
Marketable securities	124,385	138,457
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $61 in 2015)	17,788	28,016
Deferred income taxes	1,696	1,696
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,403	4,228
Total current assets	236,656	245,618
Property and equipment, net	104,305	107,187
Goodwill	30,864	30,864
Intangible assets, net	33,620	35,782
Other investments	28,483	28,525
Investments in equity method investees (fair value - $33,240 in 2015 and $26,871 2014)	38,808	30,060
Deferred income taxes	221	80
Other long-term assets	1,141	1,238
Total assets	474,098	479,354
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	3,160	3,936
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	17,719	8,916
Financial instrument obligations	21,308	21,311
Current portion of long-term debt	13,214	13,214
Current portion of capital lease obligations	412	412
Deferred income taxes	85	85
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	450	450
Total current liabilities	56,348	48,324
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion	70	177
Long-term debt, net of current portion	62,768	66,071
Deferred income taxes	3,549	3,549
Other long-term liabilities	6	3,715
Total liabilities	122,741	121,836
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock ($0.001 par value, 40,000 shares authorized; 14,380 and 14,220 shares issued in 2015 and 2014, respectively; 11,566 and 11,406 shares outstanding in 2015 and 2014, respectively)	14	14
Additional paid-in capital	267,965	267,444
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(14,275)	(15,206)
Retained earnings	179,386	186,636
Treasury stock, at cost (2,814 shares in 2015 and 2014)	(81,355)	(81,355)
Total Steel Excel Inc. stockholders' equity	351,735	357,533
Non-controlling interest	(378)	(15)
Total stockholders' equity	351,357	357,518
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 474,098	$ 479,354