POUR GAS IN CARBURATOR AND IT WORKS BUT AS SOON GAS IS OUT STOPS WORKING

2.4 4cyl. engine? Do you (or did you) have all the air intake hose hooked up when trying? Mass air flow controlled , will not get fuel if not seeing airflow through it.

When was the last time the fuel filter was changed, try that, or fuel pump. If the pump is in the gas tank, try taping on tank area and feel/listen to see if fuel pump is working. My dodge dakota was doing the same and found out it was a loose connection going to the fuel pump above the gas tank between the bed and frame area. Turned out that someone took the bed off the truck to remove the fuel pump, when they did, they broke the fuel pump wire harness.

fuel pump is out or float/needle and seat stuck, you sure this is a 96, this year uses port fuel injection, there is no carburetor.