ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES.
Accounts payable, principally trade	$ 115,514	$ 115,061
Accrued employee compensation costs	119,767	125,724
Customer deposits and other unearned income	44,068	33,253
Other accrued liabilities	89,790	80,890
Total	$ 369,139	$ 354,928