hellooo every one

friends when i try even a simple program comilation with gcc like
#gcc a.c
it states

gcc: installation problem, cannot exec `as': No such file or directory

i am unable to locate the package `as`...pls help me in this regard i want to remove this error as it doesnt allow gcc to make executables ... and i need to from a source executables badly...
i cant afford reinstallation of RH 7.3..the os used....may be some one @ AO helps me...lokking @ AO for help buddies.