I'm really just repeating what you've already been told, but perhaps it's reassuring to hear that it's what most people recommend.

First, find help locally. The importance of this cannot be overstated. The AMA site has a club locator. Perhaps there's one near. http://www.modelaircraft.org/clubsearch.aspx

If you can't find a local hobby shop, I find the Tower Hobbies web site to be the most informative, their prices are good, shipping is reliable, and the selection is more than adequate for a beginner.

Here's a link to a post I wrote recently providing one possible combo you could assemble for yourself. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2504326 Note, there are bunches of combinations, this was just one. Also, some of the prices may have changed slightly, particularly things like rebates and gift certificates. If you shop at Tower, it pays to look at the specials carefully before ordering.