CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
REVENUES:
Contract drilling	$ 1,103,397	$ 1,017,923	$ 755,969
Revenues related to reimbursable expenses	70,556	45,740	31,452
Total revenues	1,173,953	1,063,663	787,421
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Contract drilling	506,128	426,198	328,485
Reimbursable expenses	56,225	32,727	18,694
Depreciation	147,358	117,510	70,599
General and administrative	61,461	56,786	49,776
(Gain) loss on sale of equipment	(34,139)	971	457
Other, net	(1,864)	0	0
Total costs and expenses	735,169	634,192	468,011
OPERATING INCOME	438,784	429,471	319,410
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(41,803)	(24,903)	(6,460)
Interest income	312	233	354
Other income (expense) total	(41,491)	(24,670)	(6,106)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	397,293	404,801	313,304
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	56,471	54,577	41,133
NET INCOME	$ 340,822	$ 350,224	$ 272,171
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 5.31	$ 5.38	$ 4.17
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 5.24	$ 5.32	$ 4.14
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (NOTE 2):
Basic (in shares)	64,240	65,073	65,267
Diluted (in shares)	65,074	65,845	65,781