FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Assets:
Marketable securities	$ 185,681,000	$ 563,997,000
Long-term investments
Cost method investments, carrying value	81,200,000	39,000,000
Carrying Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	679,311,000	742,099,000
Marketable securities	185,681,000	563,997,000
Notes receivable	3,332,000	3,316,000
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration arrangement	(10,000,000)
Long-term debt	(95,844,000)	(95,844,000)
Guarantee of an equity method investee's debt	(5,000,000)
Carrying Value | Marketable equity security
Assets:
Long-term investments	78,715,000
Carrying Value | Auction rate security
Assets:
Long-term investments	5,860,000	13,100,000
Total Fair Value Measurements
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	679,311,000	742,099,000
Marketable securities	185,681,000	563,997,000
Notes receivable	2,939,000	2,818,000
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration arrangement	(10,000,000)
Long-term debt	(87,502,000)	(83,363,000)
Guarantee of an equity method investee's debt	(5,000,000)
Letters of credit and surety bond	(224,000)	(362,000)
Total Fair Value Measurements | Marketable equity security
Assets:
Long-term investments	78,715,000
Total Fair Value Measurements | Auction rate security
Assets:
Long-term investments	$ 5,860,000	$ 13,100,000