3D Studio Max is very hard to use when you dont know how and you do need training. However, you only have to look to films like Toy Story or the very best video games and your probably watching something created in 3DSM. Its worth learning how to use, you could buy books on it, or take out a mortgage to afford a training course
Keep at it anyway Chris, your more likely to find employment outside of the pball industry though. Demand just isnt strong enough for most companies to employ armys of graphics designers at the moment....but im sure you already realise that