I noticed the date after I replied. I was on Google searching for the drive belt size and found this forum and a post about the deck belt and thought I would give my 2 cents.
Mine calls for a 95.5 but I had the same issue. I barely got it on and it wouldn't turn over because it was too tight. I put on the 97.5 and it was perfect.
I had the same issue last year with my Poulan 300ex and it took me some trial and error before I got the 97.5" belt. That's definitely the one you want to go with. I am now needing to replace the drive belt and hoping I don't have the same issue.