there is no fuel filter above the rear axle on the drivers side... is it some where else idk it doesn't have one it just has a straight line

 

Its in the gas tank as a complete assembly with the fuel pump and sending unit.
Easy job to replace just need to drop the low on gas gas tank. Got mine from www.rockauto.com

 

I wondered that myself when i bought my 97 last year. The fuel pressure regulator on top of the fuel pump assembly doubles as the fuel filter. You can replace just the regulator if you like (Rockauto sells them), but you need to drop the tank. May as well replace the entire fuel pump assembly at that point, and clean the inside of the tank. Youtube has a couple videos covering replacement of the fuel pump assembly. Good videos.

Is your 97 acting up or is this just preventive maintenance, or just curiousity? And i believe 96 into 97 was when they made the switch from external to in-tank filters.