Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
REVENUES:
Contract drilling	$ 162,147	$ 166,637	$ 467,518	$ 489,949
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Contract drilling	53,004	63,139	161,750	186,950
Depreciation	10,395	9,611	27,991	28,967
General and administrative	9,742	9,339	34,480	30,683
Other, net		(822)	(77)	(1,521)
TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES	73,141	81,267	224,144	245,079
OPERATING INCOME	89,006	85,370	243,374	244,870
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense	(1,900)	(698)	(3,037)	(2,010)
Interest income	97	175	592	260
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) TOTAL	(1,803)	(523)	(2,445)	(1,750)
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	87,203	84,847	240,929	243,120
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	11,918	25,853	42,182	50,387
NET INCOME	$ 75,285	$ 58,994	$ 198,747	$ 192,733
Earnings Per Common Share
Basic	$ 1.16	$ 0.92	$ 3.07	$ 2.99
Diluted	$ 1.15	$ 0.91	$ 3.04	$ 2.96
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (NOTE 3):
Basic	64,820	64,427	64,689	64,375
Diluted	65,470	65,037	65,355	65,054