It's important to note that in the single table tournaments as well some multi table sitngo's you are not in the money when you have reached the final table.  Of course in the big tournament if you make the final table you are going to have a good cash.

I think deciding how you are going to play at the final table depends on your chip stack size.

If you are the short stack, or close to it, you have to become aggressive and use all of your fold equity and push with a relatively strong hand.  The blinds are high at this stage of the tournament so you don't have the luxury to wait for premium or high strength hands.  You have to be pushing with any ace, pairs, even connectors in a good position will do.  I have seen players with the short stack just call at the final table.  Thinking like that usually leads to you being blinded right out of the tournament.  If your at the final table with the short stack your only 2 options are to push or fold, it's as simple as that.  Your last shot at a pot should be with a shot gun not a pop gun !

If your chip stack is average at the final table you might try to steal a few blinds given that your on the button or in the cutoff positions and everyone has folded to you.  I think with an average stack you can take a shot or 2 at the blinds or entering a pot to try and hit the flop.  At this point position is really important.  I am definitely folding everything in early or middle position unless it is a premium hand.  Why ?  Because with an average stack I don't want to take a chance on KQ from middle position and have a short stack push with A rag.  With an average stack you want to minimize your risk at all costs.  Maintaining your fold equity is paramount.

Now, your at the final table with the chip lead or close to it.  First of all, yahoo !!  Secondly, in position, you have the luxury of attempting to steal a blind or 2 with a strong hand like AJ for example.  Chances are that if the blinds are medium stacks they will not want to risk any chips to go up against the chip leader.  I would also not be expanding my starting hand requirements just because I have the chip lead.

In poker things can change quickly and all it takes is an all in or 2 and suddenly you're the short stack or out of the tournament !  You have the chip lead which means you have the luxury of picking your spots.  Also, while your waiting to pick your spots other players are being eliminated.  If you are the chip leader you have 100% fold equity.  If your going into a pot with a raise the other players are thinking twice about calling because they know it could be the end of their tournament !

How you play at the final table is mostly dictated by the size of your chip stack.  Remember that and use it to your advantage !