Don't sound good dude.
Sounds like you may have dropped a valve. If you were having to crank on it to get it to turn over that may be timing jump, but this sounds internal.
Try isolating which cylinder is the culprit first. Pull each spark plug one at a time a see which one does not affect the "miss". Once identified, perform a compression check. Refer to Haynes Repair Manual chapter 2, if you dont have one...go get one you are going to need it.
Hope I am wrong here, but that is where I would start. I would not drive it anymore until you have done this.
'97 LX
2.5 ATX
Vibrant White
