Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Revenues:
Beef processing services	$ 1,863,040	$ 1,983,058	$ 5,709,835	$ 5,872,424
Commissions	172,284	159,085	512,714	488,526
Principal transactions	(253,145)	160,345	548,328	617,133
Investment banking	389,820	465,192	1,044,877	1,210,661
Interest income	238,468	257,124	724,782	805,796
Net realized securities gains	236	3,848	24,418	20,903
Other	155,320	185,012	432,713	435,040
Total revenues	2,566,023	3,213,664	8,997,667	9,450,483
Interest expense	28,949	29,499	90,069	87,219
Net revenues	2,366,096	3,003,643	8,390,242	8,798,130
Expenses:
Cost of sales	1,937,288	2,001,779	5,909,878	5,988,785
Compensation and benefits	375,495	516,635	1,303,634	1,506,635
Floor brokerage and clearing fees	45,307	56,030	159,100	159,673
Interest	28,949	29,499	90,069	87,219
Depreciation and amortization	58,466	46,464	166,146	132,594
Selling, general and other expenses	217,019	263,994	540,531	614,348
Total expenses	2,662,524	2,914,401	8,169,358	8,489,254
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and income related to associated companies	(296,428)	89,242	220,884	308,876
Income related to associated companies	24,243	28,917	94,501	84,298
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(272,185)	118,159	315,385	393,174
Income tax provision (benefit)	(90,273)	59,906	107,834	163,885
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(181,912)	58,253	207,551	229,289
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax (benefit) of $231, $(3,057), $231 and $(10,137)	429	(5,676)	429	(18,825)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income tax provision of $700, $4,407, $700 and $4,407	1,300	7,685	1,300	8,185
Net income (loss)	(180,183)	60,262	209,280	218,649
Net (income) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	1,238	1,058	1,828	(567)
Net (income) loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	6,788	(5,625)	15,931	(966)
Preferred stock dividends	(1,016)	(1,016)	(3,047)	(3,047)
Net income (loss) attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	$ (173,173)	$ 54,679	$ 223,992	$ 214,069
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (USD per share)	$ (0.47)	$ 0.14	$ 0.59	$ 0.59
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations (USD per share)	0.00	(0.02)	0.00	(0.05)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations (USD per share)	0.00	0.02	0.00	0.02
Net income (loss) (USD per share)	(0.47)	0.14	0.59	0.56
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (USD per share)	(0.47)	0.14	0.59	0.59
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations (USD per share)	0.00	(0.02)	0.00	(0.05)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations (USD per share)	0.00	0.02	0.00	0.02
Net income (loss) (USD per share)	$ (0.47)	$ 0.14	$ 0.59	$ 0.56
Amounts attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ (174,902)	$ 52,745	$ 222,263	$ 224,761
Gain (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	429	(5,751)	429	(18,877)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes	1,300	7,685	1,300	8,185
Net income (loss) attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	(173,173)	54,679	223,992	214,069
Investment Banking And Capital Markets Segment [Member]
Revenues:
Interest expense	199,927	210,021	607,425	652,353
Expenses:
Interest	$ 199,927	$ 210,021	$ 607,425	$ 652,353