FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Schedule of assets measured at fair value on recurring basis

The following table summarizes assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011(in thousands):

	September 30, 2012						December 31, 2011
	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	30,094	$	—

	2011						2010
	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets:
Free-standing put rights	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	800
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps		—	$	30,094		—		—		—		—

Schedule of carrying amounts and estimated fair values for assets and liabilities, excluding assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The following table summarizes carrying amounts and estimated fair values for assets and liabilities, excluding assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

	September 30, 2012				December 31, 2011
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	380,757	$	380,757	$	370,549	$	370,549
Settlement assets	110,946		110,946		46,840		46,840
Liabilities:
Settlement obligations	248,752		248,752		208,669		208,669
Note payable	1,228,980		1,235,631		1,754,709		1,769,035

	2011				2010
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	370,549	$	370,549	$	236,512	$	236,512
Settlement assets		46,840		46,840		29,044		29,044
Liabilities:
Settlement obligations		208,669		208,669		229,131		229,131
Note payable		1,754,709		1,769,035		1,756,278		1,799,938