First, which engine is it? I believe that year could have the V6 or the Turbo4.
You can ground a plug wire and see if there's spark, and you can hear the main pump under the car when you turn the key, and you can hear the intank pump by listening at the filler while someone turns the key. If the intank is bad the car won't start if it's low on gas. It may if the tank is at least half full though.
So you can do a basic spark check, and a sorta basic fuel check. Whether fuel is coming through the injectors may be a different story. The last of the 3 basics is compression, so is the belt or cam/s turning? look in the cover to see. As was said, starting fluid at the throttle body may tell something. In the air filter is a long ways for it I think, if it's a turbo.

I think that year was near the end of the biodegradable engine wiring harness problem that plagued 7's in the mid 80's. This may be an issue for you.
Look at Dave Barton's site for more info.

Oh, and I'm from Marblehead, hi to Swampscott! but now in CA.