Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 63,606	$ 62,542	$ 42,414
Pawn loans	206,343	253,519	186,937
Consumer loans, net	200,365	222,778	126,135
Merchandise held for disposition, net	139,519	161,884	117,784
Pawn loan fees and service charges receivable	38,797	48,003	35,530
Prepaid expenses and other assets	34,213	31,301	31,566
Deferred tax assets	32,312	35,065	26,606
Total current assets	715,155	815,092	566,972
Property and equipment, net	250,722	246,429	220,817
Goodwill	567,830	562,721	545,665
Intangible assets, net	33,956	34,771	29,584
Other assets	15,074	15,236	14,738
Total assets	1,582,737	1,674,249	1,377,776
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	88,472	113,113	82,213
Customer deposits	11,464	9,935	10,434
Income taxes currently payable	19,894	12,880	12,823
Current portion of long-term debt	35,939	34,273	17,689
Total current liabilities	155,769	170,201	123,159
Deferred tax liabilities	92,277	89,712	64,435
Noncurrent income tax payable	2,602	2,315	2,568
Other liabilities	1,254	1,413	1,935
Long-term debt	371,969	503,018	352,883
Total liabilities	623,871	766,659	544,980
Cash America International, Inc. equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value per share, 80,000,000 shares authorized, 30,235,164 shares issued and outstanding	3,024	3,024	3,024
Additional paid-in capital	164,722	167,683	164,516
Retained earnings	816,496	776,060	679,546
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3,460	(6,896)	9,677
Treasury shares, at cost (888,336 shares, 869,699 shares and 1,011,356 shares at March 31, 2012 and 2011, and at December 31, 2011, respectively)	(33,051)	(37,419)	(29,935)
Total Cash America International, Inc. shareholders' equity	954,651	902,452	826,828
Noncontrolling interest	4,215	5,138	5,968
Total equity	958,866	907,590	832,796
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,582,737	$ 1,674,249	$ 1,377,776