Based on the behavior of the elastic scattering data, we introduce an almost model-independent parameterization for the imaginary part of the scattering amplitude, with the energy and momentum transfer dependences inferred on an empirical basis and. selected by rigorous theorems and bounds from axiomatic quantum field theory. The corresponding real part is analytically evaluated by means of dispersion relations, allowing connections between particle-particle and particle-antiparticle scattering. Simultaneous fits to proton-proton and antiproton-proton experimental data in the forward direction and also including data beyond the forward direction lead to a predictive formalism in both energy and momentum transfer. We compare our extrapolations with predictions from some popular models and discuss the applicability of the results in the normalization of elastic rates that can be extracted from present and future accelerator experiments (Tevatron, RHIC and LHC).471171186