Thank you for responding, but that did not work. I tried it several times, but nothing happened. I kept getting the same error message.
Fortunately, I don't need to use PPPoE. My Zoom modem has the ability to connect to my ISP without Linux software. Zoom's tech support helped me get the modem configured correctly, despite AT&T's refusal to give me the correct pci(sp?) and vci(sp?) codes w/o paying them a whooping
$50 fee (for 3 lousy digits)!

Turns out Zoom has the codes for all the major ISP providers!
So, I am very pleased, and highly recommend Zoom modems to Linux users.

Only cost $31.98 w/ shipping from Newegg.com, if anyone's looking for a good, Linux friendly dsl modem (FYI, mine is an X3 model 5760).