How do you load external XML into a dataProvider?

Question

I have been looking through the docs and have found a couple
of entries discussing how to load external XML. Unfortunately, that
is where the example stops and there is no example of doing
anything useful with that data.
I have managed thus far to get my XML file loaded into
actionscript/flex:
function getExternalXML():void {
request = new URLRequest('source.xml');
loader = new URLLoader();
loader.load(request);
loader.addEventListener("complete", loadXML);
function loadXML(e:Event):void {
combo.dataProvider = loader.data;
obviously, the above doesn't work at all. I don't know how to
convert the loader.data into a format that the
ComboBox.dataProvider understands. I can't believe I have to write
a function to parse this XML. Surely there must be a way to simply
convert the XML to an array or something???

Answer 1

That link uses the flex beta 3 docs. You may want to use the
current livedocs.
Here
is a direct link to the section I was talking about.
Scroll down about halfway to the part that says "However,
using a raw data object..."
If you want the PDFs (easier to read IMO) you can get them
here.
Here
is a direct link to the Developer's Guide: