determine your version and whether or not you have the corresponding devel package:
rpm -qa | grep kernel
kernel-2.6.17-1.2157_FC5

and:
uname -rm
2.6.17-1.2157_FC5 i686

So, I downloaded the appropriate kernel development package: "kernel-devel-2.6.17-1.2157_FC5.i686.rpm"
where kernel-devel-(uname -rm output).i686.rpm is the appropriate file for your system.

Browse to the download folder and run: rpm -ivh kernel-devel-2.6.17-1.2157_FC5.i686.rpm
1:kernel ########################################### [100%]

then:
rpmbuild -bp --target=$(uname -m) /usr/src/linux/kernels/2.6.17-1.2157_FC5-i686/

Now you should see something similar to this:
[root@workstation01 2.6.17-1.2157_FC5-i686]# rpm -qa | grep kernel
kernel-2.6.17-1.2157_FC5
kernel-devel-2.6.17-1.2157_FC5

cd to directory:
/usr/src/linux/kernels/2.6.17-1.2157_FC5-i686/
run 'make prepare'

Finally run:
vmware-config.pl -d


disclaimer: I'm a noob, this is mearly what worked for me