Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 82,882	$ 72,262
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $5,431 in 2017 and $5,901 in 2016	161,342	162,115
Other receivables	11,696	12,639
Prepaid expenses and other	41,328	37,895
Restricted cash	2,624	3,192
Total current assets	299,872	288,103
Property and equipment, net	47,112	46,220
Goodwill, net	119,893	119,624
Intangible assets, net	47,526	49,124
Equity investments	159,360	161,363
Other assets	9,460	8,397
Restricted cash, less current portion	10,911	10,938
Deferred tax asset	3,622	1,510
Total assets	697,756	685,279
Liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity
Current portion of long-term obligations	1,742	1,721
Accounts payable	24,142	22,177
Accrued expenses	111,829	102,381
Accrued transportation costs	90,955	72,356
Deferred revenue	22,756	20,522
Reinsurance and related liability reserves	7,099	8,639
Total current liabilities	258,523	227,796
Long-term obligations, less current portion	1,199	1,890
Other long-term liabilities	25,048	22,380
Deferred tax liabilities	57,939	57,973
Total liabilities	342,709	310,039
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Common stock: Authorized 40,000,000 shares; $0.001 par value; 17,406,110 and 17,315,661 issued and outstanding (including treasury shares)	17	17
Additional paid-in capital	305,521	302,010
Retained earnings	150,453	156,718
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(32,248)	(33,449)
Treasury shares, at cost, 3,943,985 and 3,478,676 shares	(144,192)	(125,201)
Total Providence stockholders' equity	279,551	300,095
Noncontrolling interest	(2,069)	(2,420)
Total stockholders' equity	277,482	297,675
Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity	697,756	685,279
Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders' equity
Convertible preferred stock, net: Authorized 10,000,000 shares; $0.001 par value; 803,398 and 803,398 issued and outstanding; 5.5%/8.5% dividend rate	$ 77,565	$ 77,565