Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
ASSETS [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 155,391	$ 72,968
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,883 and $4,167 in 2018 and 2017, respectively	69,645	69,823
Prepaid expenses and other assets	51,352	64,577
Rental merchandise, net [Abstract]
On rent	683,808	701,803
Held for rent	123,662	167,188
Merchandise held for installment sale	3,834	4,025
Property assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $551,750 and $525,673 in 2018 and 2017, respectively	226,323	282,901
Deferred tax asset	25,558	0
Goodwill	56,845	56,614
Other intangible assets, net	499	882
Total assets	1,396,917	1,420,781
LIABILITIES [Abstract]
Accounts payable - trade	113,838	90,352
Accrued liabilities	337,459	298,018
Deferred tax liability	119,061	87,081
Senior debt, net	0	134,125
Senior notes, net	540,042	538,762
Total liabilities	1,110,400	1,148,338
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Common stock, $.01 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized; 109,909,504 and 109,681,559 shares issued in 2018 and 2017, respectively	1,099	1,097
Additional paid-in capital	838,436	831,271
Retained earnings	805,924	798,743
Treasury stock at cost, $56,369,752 shares in 2018 and 2017	1,347,677	1,347,677
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(11,265)	(10,991)
Total stockholders' equity	286,517	272,443
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,396,917	$ 1,420,781