Anthony,
I went through something similar last September -- here are my recommendations:
1) Safety first -- nothing ruptures spinal disks like digging fig trees ;-)
2) Multiple strong shovels
3) Multiple pry bars -- like the tamping bars fence installers use.
4) Prune it way down. In the event you don't actually get the root ball out, you'll have lots of cuttings as a consolation prize.
5) Bring a come-along if you have one, or maybe borrow one from a friend. A nice big one.
6) Some strong chain may not be a bad idea ;-) ...or at least some strong rope.
7) Remember -- the tree is dormant, and figs are weeds. You can abuse it and it won't hold it against you.
8) Look for suckers and dig them out first -- again, think "consolation prize."
9) Bring someone along for moral support, but only if you're sure it won't backfire on you. You don't want to be 4 hours into this only to have someone whining to leave.
10) Bring someone along to talk you out of it if things aren't looking promising.
11) Figure out the proper balance between #9 and #10, and then let me in on the secret ;-)
12) The tree I was trying to dig was in hard, packed, dry soil. I really wished someone had soaked the whole area with water a few days beforehand -- early enough to loosen things up a bit and drain away. Of course, that could backfire on you if we get a freeze.
Have fun, take care of your back,
Jim