Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating revenues
Drilling - U.S. Land	$ 3,099,954	$ 2,785,449	$ 2,678,475
Drilling - Offshore	250,811	221,863	189,086
Drilling - International Land	355,532	366,841	270,027
Other	13,410	13,461	14,214
Total operating revenues	3,719,707	3,387,614	3,151,802
Operating costs and expenses
Operating costs, excluding depreciation	2,009,912	1,852,768	1,750,510
Depreciation	523,549	455,623	387,549
Research and development	15,905	15,235	16,060
General and administrative	135,139	126,250	107,307
Income from asset sales	(19,585)	(18,923)	(19,223)
Total operating costs and expenses	2,664,920	2,430,953	2,242,203
Operating income from continuing operations	1,054,787	956,661	909,599
Other income (expense):
Interest and dividend income	1,583	1,653	1,380
Interest expense	(4,654)	(6,129)	(8,653)
Gain on sale of investment securities	45,234	162,121
Other	(636)	(9)	254
Total other income (expense)	41,527	157,636	(7,019)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	1,096,314	1,114,297	902,580
Income tax provision	387,548	392,844	328,971
Income from continuing operations	708,766	721,453	573,609
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	2,758	14,701	7,355
Income tax provision (benefit)	2,805	(485)	(81)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(47)	15,186	7,436
NET INCOME	$ 708,719	$ 736,639	$ 581,045
Basic earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 6.54	$ 6.75	$ 5.35
Income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ 0.14	$ 0.07
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 6.54	$ 6.89	$ 5.42
Diluted earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 6.46	$ 6.65	$ 5.27
Income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)		$ 0.14	$ 0.07
Net income (in dollars per share)	$ 6.46	$ 6.79	$ 5.34
Weighted average shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic (in shares)	107,800	106,286	106,819
Diluted (in shares)	109,141	107,879	108,377