compiling python 2.5, missing zlib

[mhearne808[insert-at-sign-here]gmail[insert-dot-here]com]

I'm trying to compile Python 2.5 on a RHEL system, using "./
configure;make;make install".  The build seems to go alright, but the
zlib module is missing.

I've tried the following:
1) Download and build the zlib libraries myself
2) Specify '--without-system-zlib' to ./configure

Neither seems to work.  What am I missing here?

Thanks,

Mike