SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW & OTHER DATA (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Supplemental Cash Flow & Other Data [Abstract]
Depreciation expense		$ 54,127	$ 53,704	$ 107,643	$ 107,678
Interest expense		(47,231)	(36,640)	(85,510)	(73,170)
Interest income		650	273	1,000	848
Interest expense, net		(46,581)	(36,367)	(84,510)	(72,322)
Interest paid		17,539	21,103	72,583	56,415
Income taxes paid		97,119	190,289	107,721	197,118
Assets acquired under capital lease obligations		1,876		2,697
Fair value of assets acquired	1,555,444			1,555,444
Fair value of liabilities assumed	148,192			148,192
Net assets acquired	1,407,252	1,407,252		1,407,252
Merger consideration payable	158,560			158,560
Cash paid for business acquisitions	1,248,692	1,248,692		1,248,692
Less: Cash acquired	112,312			112,312
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired				$ 1,136,380	$ 0