Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUES:
Contract drilling	$ 338,621	$ 260,062	$ 675,382	$ 533,619
Revenues related to reimbursable expenses	11,766	13,035	26,731	24,184
Total revenues	350,387	273,097	702,113	557,803
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Contract drilling	131,124	136,966	267,589	260,128
Reimbursable expenses	8,661	9,188	20,568	17,602
Depreciation	42,528	37,231	87,103	69,775
General and administrative	14,737	15,022	32,146	34,844
Asset impairment	0	0	60,777	0
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	5,529	(32,442)	15,335	(34,079)
Other, net	0	(1,602)	0	(1,602)
Total costs and expenses	202,579	164,363	483,518	346,668
OPERATING INCOME	147,808	108,734	218,595	211,135
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	(12,847)	(11,502)	(28,351)	(19,713)
Interest income	15	51	72	121
Other income (expense) total	(12,832)	(11,451)	(28,279)	(19,592)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	134,976	97,283	190,316	191,543
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	12,307	23,983	21,429	34,846
NET INCOME	$ 122,669	$ 73,300	$ 168,887	$ 156,697
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (NOTE 2):
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.90	$ 1.14	$ 2.62	$ 2.44
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.89	$ 1.13	$ 2.60	$ 2.41
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (NOTE 2):
Basic (in shares)	64,620	64,238	64,513	64,175
Diluted (in shares)	65,048	65,031	65,031	65,028