CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 17,650	$ 26,467
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances of $11,661 and $13,485 at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively	573,767	552,098
Prepaid income taxes	3,471	7,205
Current assets of discontinued operations	1,821	1,992
Prepaid expenses	50,764	41,823
Notes receivable and other	51,464	52,756
Deferred income taxes, net	35,083	40,565
Insurance recoverables	10,851	10,851
Total current assets	744,871	733,757
Insurance deposits	31,720	35,974
Other investments and long-term receivables	5,989	5,798
Deferred income taxes, net	32,476	30,948
Insurance recoverables	59,802	59,759
Other assets	40,783	43,394
Investments in auction rate securities	18,147	15,670
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates, net	14,555	14,423
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $104,753 and $97,819 at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively	64,282	60,009
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $84,355 and $78,669 at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively	123,307	128,994
Goodwill	750,868	750,872
Total assets	1,886,800	1,879,598
Current liabilities
Trade accounts payable	130,156	130,464
Accrued liabilities
Compensation	105,023	112,233
Taxes-other than income	27,753	19,144
Insurance claims	83,528	78,828
Other	102,836	102,220
Income taxes payable	367	307
Total current liabilities	449,663	443,196
Income taxes payable	37,805	38,236
Line of credit	293,000	300,000
Retirement plans and other	39,794	39,707
Insurance claims	261,379	262,573
Total liabilities	1,081,641	1,083,712
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 500,000 shares authorized; none issued
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 53,704,635 and 53,333,071 shares issued at January 31, 2012 and October 31, 2011, respectively	537	533
Additional paid-in capital	216,558	211,389
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes	(1,302)	(2,661)
Retained earnings	589,366	586,625
Total stockholders' equity	805,159	795,886
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,886,800	$ 1,879,598