CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 383,664	$ 521,375
Short-term investments	42,541	44,491
Accounts receivable, less reserve of $5,666 at December 31, 2017 and $5,721 at September 30, 2017	535,271	477,074
Inventories	139,066	137,204
Prepaid expenses and other	65,802	55,120
Current assets of discontinued operations	2	3
Total current assets	1,166,346	1,235,267
NONCURRENT ASSETS:
Investments	83,943	84,026
Net property, plant and equipment, at cost	4,950,400	5,001,051
Goodwill	69,347	51,705
Intangible assets, net of amortization	78,636	50,785
Other assets	13,424	17,154
Total noncurrent assets	5,195,750	5,204,721
TOTAL ASSETS	6,362,096	6,439,988
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	126,936	135,628
Accrued liabilities	228,732	208,683
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	94	74
Total current liabilities	355,762	344,385
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	493,168	492,902
Deferred income taxes	830,494	1,332,689
Other	87,852	101,409
Noncurrent liabilities of discontinued operations	4,470	4,012
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,415,984	1,931,012
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock, $.10 par value, 160,000,000 shares authorized,112,008,961 shares and 111,956,875 shares issued as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017 respectively and 108,845,327 shares and 108,604,047 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017 respectively	11,201	11,196
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued
Additional paid-in capital	479,914	487,248
Retained earnings	4,278,326	3,855,686
Accumulated other comprehensive income	2,039	2,300
Total shareholders' equity before treasury stock	4,771,480	4,356,430
Treasury stock, at cost	(181,130)	(191,839)
Total shareholders' equity	4,590,350	4,164,591
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 6,362,096	$ 6,439,988