I sold and installed pools for 20 years, so speak with some expertise when I say this is a bad idea. I sold some pool parts to a couple guys that run equipment for a living, and I knew they would understand and follow directions when I told them how. Both said never again. And when I say pool parts that is what I mean. There is no such thing as a pool kit. A pool is made up of a lot of different parts and I used to buy pumps at one place, filters at another, order liners from somewhere else,ect.Each pool is different in the size,shape, piping, plumbing ,placement, lot's of variables.
Installing a pool isn't just digging a hole and adding water. If a concrete bottom and sides are your chioce, I'd bet that you can get a pro to come in and do it cheaper than you can buy all the material.
If a vinyl liner is your choice then the dig has to be perfect or the liner life will be shortened at best and may need a replacement liner before the job is done.
I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but a pool needs to be done by someone who knows how to install one correctly. ie; flow amount , return water path, filter placement, siting, ect.
An above ground pool is a different animal entirely. They are engineered to be installed by any compentant person. If the ground is graded correctly and installed per manufactors specs they are fairly easy to install and will work like they are supposed to.
On an aside note folks used to ask me how much a pool would be if they dug their own hole, since they had a backhoe/loader/bobcat ect. I told the I always add 2000.00 to the price if they did it them selves.
I hope this gives some perspective to this post. Most everyone has said yeah, do it. Eddie gave some good advice on what to do even before starting such a project, and I know Eddie. I would have no trouble with him installing a pool, but he is an exception, not the general rule. Installing a pool correctly is a lot of work and has to be done right or the finished product won't be what most people expect a pool to be. Later, Nat