Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues:
Beef processing services	$ 7,396,869	$ 7,824,246	$ 7,486,332
Commissions	659,002	668,801	472,596
Principal transactions	642,824	662,213	574,895
Investment banking	1,417,807	1,526,637	997,955
Interest income	955,240	1,052,151	737,780
Net realized securities gains	62,957	30,394	243,957
Other	549,228	570,465	485,492
Total revenues	11,683,927	12,334,907	10,999,007
Interest expense	111,412	117,174	84,964
Net revenues	10,886,458	11,486,485	10,425,746
Expenses:
Cost of sales	7,677,233	8,024,286	7,567,707
Compensation and benefits	1,665,465	1,841,674	1,352,654
Floor brokerage and clearing fees	199,780	215,329	150,774
Interest expense	111,412	117,174	84,964
Depreciation and amortization	224,133	185,993	167,425
Provision for doubtful accounts	7,353	59,695	1,490
Selling, general and other expenses	754,827	799,639	674,188
Total expenses	10,640,203	11,243,790	9,999,202
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income related to associated companies	246,255	242,695	426,544
Income related to associated companies	110,281	138,527	119,041
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	356,536	381,222	545,585
Income tax provision	109,947	165,971	136,481
Income from continuing operations	246,589	215,251	409,104
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $231, $(9,634) and $(32,303)	429	(17,893)	(60,026)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income tax provision (benefit) of $2,743, $899 and $(3,009)	5,093	1,667	13,115
Net income	252,111	199,025	362,193
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interests	4,996	727	1,162
Net loss attributable to the redeemable noncontrolling interests	26,543	8,616	9,282
Preferred stock dividends	(4,063)	(4,062)	(3,397)
Net income attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	$ 279,587	$ 204,306	$ 369,240
Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations (USD per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.58	$ 1.20
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (USD per share)	0.00	(0.05)	(0.17)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations (USD per share)	0.01	0.01	0.04
Net income (USD per share)	0.74	0.54	1.07
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations (USD per share)	0.73	0.58	1.20
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations (USD per share)	0.01	0.01	0.03
Net income (USD per share)	0.74	0.54	1.06
Income from discontinued operations (USD per share)	$ 0.00	$ (0.05)	$ (0.17)
Amounts attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders:
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes	$ 274,065	$ 220,584	$ 415,093
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes	429	(17,945)	(58,968)
Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of taxes	5,093	1,667	13,115
Net income attributable to Leucadia National Corporation common shareholders	279,587	204,306	369,240
Investment Banking And Capital Markets Segment [Member]
Revenues:
Interest expense	797,469	848,422	573,261
Expenses:
Interest expense	$ 797,469	$ 848,422	$ 573,261